Top 4 Causes of Summer Car Breakdowns

Long Island Preowned Car Dealer | Suffolk County Used SUVs

Summer is right around the corner and that means more vacations, more road trips, and more time spent in the car traveling from point A to point B. This season is heating up quickly, and your car can often feel the effects more than you realize. Here at Certified Headquarters, we want to make sure you and your car make it safely to all your summer fun destinations!

One problem we should all be aware of is the possibility of your vehicle overheating. Always check your coolant levels regularly. A good rule is to check it each season, so now that summer is approaching, add that to your to-do list! You should have a 50/50 mix of coolant and water in your reservoir and it should reach all the way up to the designated “full” line. Be mindful of any dashboard messages suggesting that your engine is overheating and always pull over as soon as possible if you start noticing steam coming out from underneath your hood.

Another common problem during the warmer months is flat tires. Checking your tire pressure about once a month is a great way to ensure each one is filled properly. If you do notice any getting low, fill up as soon as you can, and be careful not to overfill as that can cause blowouts. Practice changing a tire yourself or make sure your roadside assistance info is up to date just in case!

Next up on things, you’ll want to be on the lookout for a dead battery. All the added stress from high temperatures can cause your battery to go out before you expect it to, especially since all the battery fluid evaporates more rapidly as the sun beats down on your car. Before any long trips, get a quick once over done by a professional to make sure everything is running in top shape.

Last but certainly not least, never ignore any lights on your dash! A lot of us assume we can drive for a while without needing to take our vehicles into the shop but just like winter is rough on all the running parts inside a motor vehicle because of the icy temps, the summer can cause just as much damage if we avoid necessary maintenance.

We hope all of you have fun in the sun all summer long! Be sure to keep yourself, your family, and all your vehicles happy and cool as the temps keep rising. And as always, feel free to call or drop by Certified Headquarters today if you’re in the market for an affordable, reliable vehicle to get you anywhere you need to go.