The weather’s been warm in Aiea, and it’s about to get warmer. Heat can affect your vehicle in ways you might not expect, so it’s a good idea to do a little preparation before the blazing asphalt and high temperatures really start to take a toll.
Keep Things Cool
You don’t want your air conditioner to fail just as the temperatures start reaching the triple digits. The most common AC issue you’ll face is low refrigerant, so if you’re noticing your vehicle struggling to keep the cabin cool enough, you may need a leak to be patched and to have your refrigerant replaced by our service center. Any suspicious noises or odd puddles could also be a sign of trouble.
Inside your engine, the radiator disperses heat, so an engine inspection that checks for low coolant will help you avoid overheating, as will a fresh oil change. Hot temperatures can cause your battery to overwork and fail, so have its strength tested by our service center as well if it’s starting to get older.
Beat the Hot Streets
It’s no coincidence that you start seeing a lot of shredded tire debris along the roadside near Honolulu as temperatures soar. Heat has a way of amplifying existing problems, so if your tires are already contending with areas weakened by uneven wear, they’re more prone to a blowout as the pavement gets hotter. Your tire pressure can also fluctuate as temperatures increase, so if your Ford displays pressure information on your dashboard, you’ll be able to monitor it for any changes. If you don’t have a digital pressure readout, you can always check manually with a gauge.
Spring or summer is an ideal time for a tire rotation to keep uneven wear at bay. You can also opt to switch your all-season tires for a design specifically made to take the summer heat.