The summer season is best spent going out on road trips, and with easing health restrictions to boot, this reality is not far off from what we’re now capable of doing since the world is slowly reopening bit by bit. In fact, some international travel destinations are becoming available if you’re fully vaccinated and are willing to go through the long and arduous process of getting tested and quarantining when coming to and from places.
However, if there’s one thing nobody expected, it’s the sheer hotness this summer would bring and how actual heat waves are running rampant and even sparking wildfires as we speak. And considering that nobody got the memo for everything and had zero time to prepare, your car’s most likely not in the best of shape or circumstances to be enabling any road trips any time soon for the sake of you and your family’s safety.
Is The Summer Heat That Dangerous?
Look, we understand why it might seem a bit too much to call the summer heat unbearable because, normally, slapping on some sunscreen should do the work, and keeping your car in the shade should also cover all the bases. However, temperatures have been rising and are currently at their peak, and we can’t expect our cars to be at their best condition given that the weather and climate are not agreeing with any road trip plans.
- Faded And Cracked Paint Jobs: Firstly, one distasteful disadvantage to the summer heat is how it can cause your car’s paint job to fade and crack, making it look a lot less pleasing and lose much of its original value. Sure, shade can work in most scenarios, but exposure to the sun’s UV rays is inevitable, and that goes double for people who don’t have the luxury of a free garage to keep their car inside.
- Increased Risk Of A Tire Blowout: Secondly, unless you’re rocking a brand-new 2021 car straight from the dealership like a Porsche GT3 Touring or a Suzuki Jimny, your tires won’t also be in the best condition to handle the heat. The increase in temperature causes your tire pressure to go out of hand and puts you at an increased risk of a tire blowout, and the last thing you’d want to happen is for that risk to become a reality when you’re on the road.
- Compromises The Car’s Battery: Lastly, since the heat will directly correlate to blasting the air conditioning at full capacity, the burden this places on the stuff under the hood might end up compromising your car’s battery. Good for you if you can manage to get it started again and cover the next few miles to the next auto shop, but remember you also carry the same risk of being stranded or having it fail you when you’re on a busy highway.
So, Please Make These Precautions Your Top Priority
Therefore, with all the reasons mentioned above considered, we strongly recommend that you please take some necessary precautions and safety measures before doubling down with any plans for a road trip. These steps taken won’t take too much of your time and will save you from all the potential trouble and risks of avoiding them, so make time for it and get yourself the reassurance of knowing you are fully prepared.
#1 Protect And Wrap Your Car
Number one, to get the problem of your car’s paint job fading and cracking away at the mercy of the sun’s UV rays and relentless summer heat out of the picture, we suggest that you protect your car and get it properly wrapped for the summer. Whether it be putting on a temporary vinyl wrap to keep the original paint job secure or getting some paint protection coating, any form of protection will set you miles apart from not having one.
#2 Vigilant Monitoring Of Tire Pressure
Number two, you’ll want to be extra careful and vigilant with monitoring your tire pressure because you can’t always depend on a professional mechanic to do the job for you. So, always keep your tire pressure gauge handy with you at all times and double-check it once in the morning and once more at night to ensure that it remains at safe levels at all times.
#3 Visit Your Local Mechanic
Number three, since messing around with your car’s battery and poking the screwdriver all willy-nilly under the hood is the last thing you want to be doing, we strongly suggest that you visit your local mechanic to take care of the diagnosis. They’re more knowledgeable and well-equipped at making a sound judgment, and you’re better off getting their services to get you that peace of mind.
Help Your Daily Driver Overcome The Summer Heat
Overall, everyone should take the time to keep their car in good shape and do their bare minimum for maintenance, especially since the summer season can be very unforgivable. So, take the advice we’ve provided above to heart, and we promise you those road trips are much close than you could imagine.
