Rising temperatures cause increase in car problems

SALT LAKE— Car experts say rising temperatures cause a spike in car problems, and now is the time to get your car checked.

AAA reports that calls for its roadside assistance rise up to 25% in the summer months. This is because warmer temperatures often cause problems with batteries, engines, tires, belts, and hoses. 

“It’s the summer heat that’s really hard on the battery. It melts the electrolyte coatings on the lead plates inside the battery. That’s usually what will ruin a battery,” said Provo Burt Brothers store manager, Don Medford. 

High temperatures can also cause belts and hoses to become more soft and pliable and prone to damage. 

Summer heat can also affect the pressure in a car’s engine, leading to failure in belts and hoses. 

Medford advised that the best thing to do to stay safe is to take your car to a shop for a check because you don’t know when a problem may arise.

“They’re mechanical things. You don’t have that crystal ball to say, ‘Yeah, it’s going to break at this specific time or at this specific mileage.’ It’s always good to at least have one good yearly inspection on your car.”

He added that it’s also a good thing to check the performance of your car and freon levels to be sure your air conditioner is up for a journey.

What to do now to prepare your car for the summer heat

1. Check your battery for corrosion and replace any loose or missing parts
2. Level off your fluids as summer heat causes levels to drop. Important fluids to check include motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and coolant
3. Check your tire pressure regularly as high temperatures can cause tires to overinflate or underinflate
4. Take your car to a local shop to check for other potential issues