Summertime is here! This means road trips, outdoor adventures, and summer vacations are in full swing. If you plan on taking your vehicle out and about this summer, is it prepared to handle the heat? These four tips can get your car ready for the summer.

4 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Heat

Vehicles heat up quickly in the summer. Whether you live in a dry heat climate such as Arizona or experience humid heat like Florida, the intense high temperatures can affect your car over time. The key is to make sure your vehicle is up to date on basic maintenance, and to look out for anything that isn’t normal.

With the help of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) of South Central Ontario, here are four tips to make sure your car is ready for the summer:

  1. Get Your Car Ready for the SummerClean off your battery – Make sure the top of your battery and cables are free of dust and dirt. You can also scrub off corrosion buildup with hot water and baking soda.
  2. Flush the cooling system – Your coolant deteriorates over time and becomes acidic if you don’t flush the cooling system from time to time.
  3. Check the AC unit – Make sure your AC unit blows cool air, and keeps the interior temperature at a comfortable level. If it isn’t working right, the refrigerant level may be low. To be sure, have a certified mechanic check the AC system.
  4. Check the tires – Your tire pressure changes with the temperature. Make sure you regularly check the air pressure in all tires – including the spare – and inflate them if needed.

Additionally, you can look into purchasing an extended warranty on your used car. This can help provide some peace of mind if you're gearing up to take a road trip this summer, as a used car warranty can protect yourself against certain costly repairs.

Should I Buy a New Car This Summer?

The Fourth of July deals this summer have passed, but many manufacturers’ Labor Day deals are just around the corner. This is a great time to buy the vehicle you’ve been looking at, as dealers need to make more room for upcoming models and want to get rid of the “old” stock on their lots.

In addition to Labor Day deals, what else might be a sign that now is the right time to buy a new car? Consider your current vehicle’s condition and usage. For example, is the AC unit still not working properly despite being repaired? If you find that it costs more to repair the car than what it’s worth, it could be time to trade it in.

Or, does your current vehicle not fit your everyday needs anymore? If you purchased an SUV because you had a growing family, but no longer need all that extra space due to the kids getting older, consider trading it in and buying a more cost-friendly model. On the flip side, if your family size has increased and you need more space, you might consider trading in your current car and purchasing an SUV.

Ready to Buy a Car?

As long as you keep up with basic maintenance and care this summer, you shouldn’t have any issues. If you’ve decided that this summer is the time for you to finance your next vehicle, but you’re worried your credit is standing in the way, don’t sweat it.

At Auto Credit Express, we work with a nationwide network of dealerships that have bad credit lenders available. We'll work to match you with a dealer near you if you get started by filling out our free and simple car loan request form.