Tips to keep your car cool, and your temperature from rising

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4. Are You Keeping Your Cool?

No leaks, no worries—that is, as long as that coolant is still good. How do you know? You can purchase test strips that measure the pH level of your coolant and let you know whether or not it needs to be replaced. Flushing the system isn’t necessary unless the system has been badly neglected or you notice particles and/or sludge floating in it. Simply drain and refill with the correct mix to water as specified by the coolant manufacturer. Be sure to dispose of used coolant properly if you do it yourself.

5. When Was Your Last Transfusion?

Broken down oil can gum up passages and no longer protects moving parts from wear. Engine oil is the life’s blood of your car and it should be changed regularly to keep it performing its duties of lubricating and cooling your engine as recommended by the manufacturer of your car. If you don’t do this on the specified interval, than do it now before the mercury starts to rise. Unless of course, your summer plans include paying for your mechanics new boat.

6. Assault and Battery

Extreme heat is an assault on every last amp of life in a tiring battery. A multi-meter is usually used to test a battery suspected of being near its end, but many auto parts stores will perform the check for you if you think your battery is ready for the afterlife. Things to look for as a battery begins to expire: lights are dimmer than usual when the engine is off, and harder starting with a slower cranking sound. Keep in mind a bad alternator will not charge a battery properly and can lead to the same symptoms, but most auto parts store can test for that as well.

7. Nothing Free About It

Moving from the engine bay to the passenger compartment, nothing will get your temper flaring worse than an air conditioning repair bill. If your A/C has lost its cooling power, odds are it’s do to low refrigerant, a.k.a. Freon. A/C systems are vehicle specific with specially formed hoses and condensers designed to fit within the unique dimensions of your model which can make them costly to repair. An A/C line can range from a couple hundred to over a thousand dollars. A/C plumbing is closed and pressurized which means 99.9 percent of the time, there is no place for Freon to escape to unless there is a leak. Get your system pressure checked before recharging it, or you will be paying to do it again after you complete the repairs needed in the first place.