Providing Automotive Repair Service and Maintenance Monday-Friday 7AM-5PM
3502 W THUNDERBIRD RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85053

Preparing Your Car for the Extreme Summer Heat

Living in Phoenix exposes you and your vehicle to extreme heat. The summer season can be especially problematic for drivers because dry air, hot pavement, and overheating vehicles seem to go hand-in-hand. Use these tips to prepare for the extreme summer heat and avoid a preventable breakdown.

Check on the Battery

The battery in your car sits in one of the hottest places possible. The battery can sustain damage due to extreme heat, especially because battery fluid evaporates very quickly in the summer. Have any battery that is more than three years old checked, and keep the nodes clean to ensure a good connection and prevent slippage.

Cooling System Service

Have the entire cooling system serviced — including the AC. The engine needs to remain cool while driving, and you must remain cool while in the cabin. The system can break down quickly if it has never been serviced.

Just adding coolant to the reservoir is not enough in the hot Arizona sun.

Keep Tires Inflated

Tires can be damaged by hot roads, and it helps to avoid driving on hot roads whenever possible. At the same time, keeping tires inflated prevents more extensive damage. When the tires are under-inflated, more surface area touches the road, increasing the potential damage hot pavement can cause.

Check Fluids Often

Every fluid in your vehicle evaporates that much faster because of the extreme temperatures in Phoenix. Check your motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid often. You can also visit Thunderbird Auto for a fluid change service that checks, replaces, or tops off all your fluids, including an inspection that will uncover any other issues with the vehicle.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

You must keep an emergency kit in your car for hot summer conditions. Getting stranded or breaking down is just as dangerous in the summer, and your emergency kit should include:

  • Several bottles of water
  • Jumper cables
  • Canned food items or non-perishables
  • Flares
  • A flashlight
  • A tire change kit
  • An automotive tool kit
  • First aid kit
  • An emergency beacon

Reach out to Thunderbird Auto for Service

Call Thunderbird Auto at 602-962-9282 or contact us online for more information on summer driving. We are happy to handle routine maintenance, repair your vehicle, and help you prepare for the extreme summer heat.

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WE ARE CLOSED FOR THE DAY

Thunderbird Automotive Specialists will be closed on Friday, October 20th.

During this time, our team will be attending the memorial service for our late General Manager, Brock Lohman.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we gather as a Thunderbird Automotive Specialist family to honor Brock’s life and legacy.

We will be back open to serve you on Monday, October 23rd. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.