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Summer driving can be hard on a lot of the systems in your vehicle. Here are some ideas for helping to keep everything cool this summer:

--Your engine relies on coolant to help disperse heat, as it circulates through the water pump, radiator and engine coolant passages and water jackets. Coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water, with anticorrosion agents and other additives. Still, coolant will degrade over time and allow contaminants and scale to build up in radiator passages and inside the water pump and heater core. The system should be flushed yearly and refilled with fresh coolant, along with a pressure test to locate any weak spots in the radiator, hose and clamps.

--Put your hand on the asphalt in the middle of summer. Chances are you won’t be able to hold it there for very long…now consider your black tires, absorbing heat from the sun and generating friction and rolling resistance as you drive down the road. When your tires are underinflated, that rolling resistance is greatly increased, which costs you in terms of fuel economy and also puts a great deal of stress on the tires. Check your tire inflation monthly – otherwise you’re just wasting money on fuel and on premature tire wear.

--To keep the inside of your vehicle a little more tolerable in the summer, try parking in the shade whenever possible, and use a reflective screen inside the windshield to ward off some of the summer heat. Not only does this help keep the vehicle more comfortable when you get in, it also helps head off damage to the upholstery, carpeting and plastic due to the sun’s UV rays.

--Make sure your vehicle’s A/C system is charged and in good shape before the temperatures climb. This isn’t just to keep you comfortable – operating an automotive A/C that’s low on refrigerant is harmful to the system. Refrigerant contains an oil which keeps the compressor lubricated, and without it the compressor can overheat and even fail.

A properly-maintained vehicle is as important in summer as it is for the rest of the year. Make an appointment with us at D.W. Campbell Tire Company in Marietta, GA and let us make sure your vehicle’s in good shape for the hot months!