In summer weather, car problems multiply. Cars are left stalled on the side of the road, shredded tires litter freeway shoulders.
Experts say preventative maintenance is key for the longevity of your vehicle, particularly when the Las Vegas heat puts it to the test. Keeping up with oil changes and routine services will help keep your car from breaking down, according to Scott Bennett, an instructor and director of CSN’s Automotive Technology program.
“Keep up on your maintenance,” Bennett said. “The cooling system will do its job. It will keep the engine cool and keep your car running properly.”
Bennett reminded the public that cars are designed to run in even extremely hot climates, so long as they are serviced properly. Here are some more tips to avoid getting stranded on the side of the road:
Extreme heat taxes your air conditioning.
Something the summer heat may have an impact on is the air conditioning system. “In our town, air conditioning is obviously necessary,” Bennett said. “When engines get hot, hoses, seals and stuff on the air conditioning system can become susceptible to leaks.”
And there is not much car owners can do to prevent this wear.
“A misconception people have with air conditioning systems is that the refrigerant or the freon runs out almost like gasoline, which isn’t the case,” Bennett said. “Once the refrigerant's in there, it’s in there for good. So, if they are losing refrigerant, it has a leak.”
Tires wear out more quickly in hot climates.
Triple-digit temperatures do a number on your vehicle’s tires, making them susceptible to more tread wear and reducing their longevity.
“We do live in extreme conditions here in town, and we are subject to dry rot,” said Danielson Garcia, owner of Axel Motorsports. “These tires do not last the five to six years that they’re recommended to last.” He changes his personal vehicles every three years.
Heat ruins car batteries.
Excess heat also accelerates the wear on car batteries, as it speeds up the chemical reaction occurring in the battery case. “The heat just really takes a toll on your car battery,” said Duane Wik, a shade tree mechanic who's currently restoring classic Porsches. “My suggestion is, take a look after two years and they’re easy enough to swap out. Something that everybody can do. Save yourself from getting stranded.”
But how do you know if your battery is going bad? “That first slow crank is when you need to look at your battery,” Bennett said. You will only have a couple more chances before the battery might give out before visiting an auto-parts store.
Is your engine overheating?
Another needle you want to pay attention to is your vehicle’s temperature gauge — the one that has an H and an C. And if you start to see it go past the middle and close to the H, it’s recommended to get off the road as soon as possible, Garcia said.
“If you’re seeing the needle, go past the high point, just pull over,” he added. “Just pull over to the side. Let things cool down, if you’re in a safe environment.”
An engine that is overheating may have a coolant system issue, but an overheating event could do irreversible damage to the vehicle.
Buying a used car?
Inevitably, at one point or another, you might be in the market for a used vehicle. If so, John Polnik, the host of BidNerds on YouTube, has a tip before you.
“We call it a PPI, Pre Purchase Inspection,” Polnik said. “So, when you’re looking at an older car or a pre-owned car, you absolutely want to have it looked at by an independent pre-purchase inspector.”
He recommends not using the dealership or the seller of the vehicle. To Polnik, dealerships want you to believe they take on a trade, they have their mechanics inspect and repair the vehicle before they sell it. But for the most part, the dealership is just making sure that there are no obvious leaks coming from the vehicle.
“You want to find somebody that knows the car, that generation of car, who can be there physically on your behalf and get down on the ground, look underneath and check everything," Polnik explained.
Guests: Danielson Garcia, owner of Axel Motorsports; Duane Wik, currently restoring classic Porsches at home; John Polnik, host of BidNerds on YouTube; Scott Bennett, director and instructor of CSN's Automotive Technology program
