There’s no way around it. Chicago summers can be brutally hot and humid, which takes a real toll on your vehicle.
When temps hit the upper 90s and above, you may think that humans and wildlife are the ones who suffer the most, but have you ever considered what these temps do to your car?
Excessive heat and humidity interfere with your car’s ability to operate properly, making nearly every system in your vehicle work harder to achieve what you ask your car to do every single day.
Which Systems Are Hit the Hardest?
To most people, summer means vacations. Whether you are hitting up a local park or plan on a cross-country road trip, chances are that you plan on driving somewhere this summer.
The heat can be tough on your car since higher outside temps mean that you are asking your car to work outside what might be considered normal operating temperatures.
The most common systems that are affected by high temperatures include:
- Batteries
If you haven’t already noticed, the first really hot day in the summer (when temps go over 90) is when people usually experience battery failure. (The first cold snap is another one.) Batteries that are already marginal can’t stand up to the higher-than-average temperatures. Once the temps tip the 90-degree mark, the internal temperature of your battery can hit 140 degrees. Very hot weather causes the electrolyte solution inside the battery to evaporate, limiting the amount of charge a battery can hold.
The Solution- Have your battery tested and inspected by the pros at My Mechanic. We can test your battery and the charging system to help cut down on the odds that you are stranded by the side of the road with a dead battery.
- Tires
Checking your tire pressure becomes more important during the hot summer months. The air pressure inside your tires will increase by approximately one pound for every 10 degrees that the temps go above 70. The excessive heat and increase in tire air pressure can cause your tires to be overinflated, deforming the shape of the tire and decreasing the amount of tread that makes contact with the road.
The Solution- Check your tire pressure every time you fill your gas tank, or once a week. If you aren’t sure how to do this, ask the friendly staff at My Mechanic. If you should need a new set of tires, we can help with that as well.
- Engine Oil
Extreme temps can cause your engine oil to break down more quickly than normal. As the lighter parts of the oil evaporate in the heat, the other compounds in the oil lose their stability and the molecules become hyperactive. Degrading engine oil can allow resin, sludge, and varnish to leave larger deposits inside the motor, making the internal parts of your engine more susceptible to corrosion, scuffing, and abrasion wear.
The Solution: Be sure to have your oil changed regularly by the ASE-certified mechanics at My Mechanic. If you don’t know when you last had your oil changed, call us right away for an appointment!
- Cooling System
In the same way that your body needs to be cooled down when it gets hot, your motor also has a cooling system. Parts that feel the extra stress of high temperatures include the coolant, hoses, belts, radiator, thermostat, and water pump. If one of these parts should fail and the motor overheats, you could be looking at extensive (and expensive) engine damage.
The Solution- Have your cooling system inspected and/or serviced at My Mechanic. It’s never too late to replace or flush the cooling system, inspect the belts and hoses, and check the operation of the thermostat and water pump. Nothing is more annoying ( and possibly dangerous) than being stuck on the road with a car that has overheated. You can wait for a tow truck, but without A/C, you risk becoming overheated yourself!
- Air Conditioning
If you’ve ever driven in a Chicago summer in a car with no A/C, you know that this is more than a luxury, but a downright necessity! Air conditioning has become vital and the thought of it going out is enough to make anyone panic! Heat places an excessive amount of strain on the air conditioning system. It can cause hoses to rot and break, as well as put extra strain on other parts such as tensioners and the belt.
The Solution- Have your vehicle’s air conditioning system inspected by the pros at My Mechanic. If you haven’t had the A/C serviced in a while, we can do all of the regularly scheduled maintenance that your car needs so that you can drive safely with cold, clean air conditioning.
Bring your vehicle in for a summertime inspection and our mechanics will also inspect all fluid levels and let you know what repairs, if any, are required.
Is Your Car Ready for Another Chicago Summer?
July is always a real scorcher but August is rarely any better. Is your car ready for another couple of months of hot and humid Chicago weather?
If you aren’t certain, there is one sure-fire way to ensure that your car is ready to stand up to Chicago’s brutal summer heat- Let one of our certified mechanics at My Mechanic perform a full summer inspection of your vehicle.
We will inspect your vehicle’s cooling system, air conditioning system, tires, belts, hoses, coolant, and battery so that you can drive all summer long without worrying about your vehicle.
Your vehicle is a big investment. Why not protect your investment by getting a summer checkup from the pros at My Mechanic?
Call us today for an appointment. We will have your vehicle back on the road and ready for anything before you know it!
Have a safe and terrific summer! You deserve it!
