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Prevent Summer-Related Car Troubles Tom T  |
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 Summertime ... and the livin' is easy ... Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to lighten up on the clothing, get out the lemonade, and get your watercraft in the water! Maybe you're a traveler in the summer months. Whatever activities you enjoy, you're going to need a reliable vehicle. What can you do to prevent car problems on the road during the hot weather and insure maximum pleasure during those special family outings? Let's take a look.
Cooling System: Your car's engine runs at very high temperatures in order to achieve the tailpipe emission standards set by the EPA. Today, engines are largely made of aluminum to reduce the weight of the cars. And it works fine... that is, until you overheat it. Aluminum is very sensitive to heat; it doesn't take much to crack or warp it. If your cooling system is not "up to snuff" (clean and circulating the coolant to all parts of the engine), heat damage can occur. This damage shows up in the form of blown head gaskets, cracked cylinder heads, burnt or cracked valve seats and cylinder, as well as cylinder head warpage. Because of being submerged in coolant all the time, cooling systems naturally build up sludge and rust-scale. This sludge and scale inhibits the flow of coolant through the engine, which causes elevated temperatures. In addition, the antifreeze "wears out," in other words, its chemical properties break down over time, rendering it ineffective. That's why it's a good idea to clean the cooling system and fill it with new coolant every 2 years or 24,000 miles. This is called a "Flush and Fill." (Some manufacturers use a coolant that lasts a lot longer than conventional coolant, so it's a good idea to check your owner's manual or ask your dealer.)
Automatic Transmission: The automatic transmission is the "Rodney Dangerfield" of the major components of your car ... "It don't get no respect!" Many people don't even think of the transmission as part of their car! Consequently, the transmission quietly goes along, doing it's job, until the day it makes it's presence known ... breaking down and costing you a lot of money! Sidestep all that by having the transmission maintained according to manufacturer's recommendations as outlined in your owner's manual. The greatest killer of transmissions is heat and friction. We are a "stuff-hauling" society! How often have you seen cars (and I mean "little cars") hauling boats approximately two stories high and three times the length of the car? Well, I may be exaggerating a bit, but you get my drift. I can't think of a better way to overheat a transmission! Good summer maintenance of your transmission includes getting the fluid and filter changed and, if you're going to pull a trailer, get a transmission oil cooler installed!
Miscellaneous Summer Maintenance Items: Belts, hoses, and brakes. All these suffer from heat exhaustion.
* Belts: Drive belts are made of rubber and consequently dry up, crack, and break. Add to the equation the summer heat and increased stress from air conditioning usage, and you've multiplied the "breakage factor" significantly! Have the belts checked and adjusted regularly. In the case of serpentine belts, have the automatic tension adjuster checked for integrity.
* Hoses: The radiator and heater hoses make up the infrastructure which carries the engine coolant. The coolant is forced through the hoses under high pressure at high temperatures. This harsh environment causes deterioration of the hose material which weakens them, resulting in coolant leaks. Have the hoses checked regularly through the summer and replace if necessary.
* Brakes: Brakes are always operating under high temperatures because of their very nature. Brake shoes and pads are designed to create friction in order to stop the motion of the wheels, which are attached to the brakes. This friction causes intense heat which, when added to the heat of summer, is like having a blast furnace attached to your wheels! Have the brakes checked throughout the hot summer months (every tire rotation or 6,000 miles). Keeping fresh friction material on your brakes will reduce the heat and wear factor!
My advice on summer maintenance wouldn't be complete without a comment on "Toy Trailers." Let me share a personal experience with you.
While out for a Sunday drive with my family, I approached a van from behind that was hauling a boat on a trailer. I noticed the trailer was quite rusty and the wheels were wobbling, causing the trailer to sway from side to side! The boat seemed to pick up velocity with each sway! Anticipating trouble, I pulled back considerably. As we approach a stop sign, the driver of the van applied his brakes; however, neither the van's lights nor the trailer's lights worked! Had I not put considerable distance between us, we would have crashed!
Those of you who pull boat trailers, listen up! During the summer season, boat trailers are submerged in water frequently. What do you think happens to the wheel bearing lubricant? How about the wiring and lighting? Not to mention the effects of rust on the frame and suspension! At the end of the season, what do many people do? They put the trailer away until next season. No maintenance, no upkeep, and no repairs! The following season, they haul it out, plop a boat on it, and pull it behind a van in front of a family taking a Sunday drive. That's irresponsible! Boaters, take care of your boat trailers PLEASE ...
'Til next time...Keep Rollin'
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 With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime your automobile.
Email Tom
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