7 Things You Should Never Do To Your Car In Summer Heat

Summer is hard on a car in ways you may not notice until the dashboard lights up or the air conditioning blows warm. Heat chews on batteries, boils coolant and bakes fluids.

A sunlit coastal road shimmering in the summer heat.

AAA Hoosier’s guide “Top Summer Car Care Tips” lays out what to check before the hottest weather arrives. Flip those tips around and you get a list of mistakes that leave drivers stranded on the shoulder with the hood up.

Here are seven things you should never do to your car in summer heat, based on AAA Hoosier’s advice.

Never Ignore An Aging Battery

AAA Hoosier says that if the battery is more than three years old, you should have it tested. The guide puts it plainly: “Heat and vibration are a battery’s worst enemies.”

It also advises securing the battery to limit vibration and cleaning corrosion from the terminals and clamps. A fuzzy crust on the posts is easy to spot, and a wire brush and a few minutes can clear it.

A battery that starts the car fine in April can fail in July. Testing it early costs far less than a tow.

Never Let The Coolant And Hoses Slide

According to AAA Hoosier, the cooling system should be flushed at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals. It also says to top off the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of water and coolant, and to inspect hoses and drive belts for wear.

Overheating is among the most common summer breakdowns for good reason. Your engine makes heat all the time, and the cooling system has to carry it away.

Take a look at the hoses with the engine cold. Cracks, bulges or a mushy feel mean it is time to see a mechanic.

Never Open The Radiator Cap On A Hot Engine

AAA Hoosier warns that boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns. That is why you should never open the radiator cap on a hot engine.

If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over safely, turn off the engine and wait. Patience is a lot cheaper than a trip to the burn unit.

Never Skip The Monthly Tire Pressure Check

AAA Hoosier says to check tire pressures, including the spare, at least once a month, ideally when the tires are cold. It says tires lose about one pound of pressure per month.

The guide adds that you should use the pressure listed in your owner’s manual or on the door-jamb label, not the number on the sidewall.

Heat expands the air inside a tire, so a reading taken after a long drive can be misleading. Check them first thing in the morning for the best result.

Never Neglect The Fluids

AAA Hoosier recommends checking motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid. It says to use only the type specified in your owner’s manual.

The right fluid in the right amount keeps everything moving smoothly. Topping off with the wrong kind can do more harm than waiting for the shop.

Make it part of a monthly habit, perhaps the same day you check the tires.

Never Shrug Off Weak Air Conditioning

If cooling weakens, AAA Hoosier says the refrigerant may be low or another problem may exist. It advises having a certified technician check it and inspecting and replacing the cabin filter as needed.

A car that blows lukewarm air in a heat wave is more than a comfort issue for older passengers and children. A cool cabin makes a long drive far safer for everyone aboard.

Book the appointment before the first scorcher, when shops are less crowded.

Never Hit The Road Without An Emergency Kit

AAA Hoosier suggests keeping water, non-perishable food, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools and a first aid kit in the car.

In summer heat, a breakdown on a lonely road can turn uncomfortable quickly, and a few bottles of water make a big difference. Pack the kit once and check it each spring.

Most of the items are cheap and fit easily in a trunk organizer.

None of these chores is hard, and most take less than an hour in total. The reward is a car that starts, cools and keeps moving when the thermometer climbs.

Walk through the seven items once a season, write down the dates and keep the receipts in the glove box. Your future self, sitting in an air-conditioned car on a scorching afternoon, will be grateful.

One more general reminder: never leave children or pets in a parked car on a hot day, even for a quick errand. A closed car heats up faster than most people expect.

Shade and a windshield sunscreen can make the cabin more bearable when you return, and they spare the dashboard from the worst of the sun.

Keeping a small log in the glove box helps. Write down the dates you checked the battery, tires and fluids, so you can see at a glance what is due next.

It is also a good idea to ask your mechanic to look over the belts and hoses during an oil change. Catching a worn part before a road trip is much easier than fixing one on the roadside.

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