During the hot months of July, August, and even well into September, vehicles commonly experience breakdowns due to tire, engine, or battery trouble. With extreme temperatures, this is due to the mechanical problems associated. With this in mind, we at Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance would like to relate the top common causes of summer car breakdowns.

Front or Rear Tire Blows Out

Throughout the summer months, tire blowouts are quite common. Tire blowouts can be caused by the heat, and as the increasing temperatures, causing them to expand as the tire pressure increases with the heat. Be sure to closely monitor the air pressure in your tires during the summer so you can ensure they are not overfilled.

Overheating Car

While driving, vehicle frequently overheat. An unusual smell coming from the engine, smoke or steam coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle are all signs your vehicle is overheating. To see if it is overheating, check the temperature gauge on your vehicle’s dashboard. To reduce the stress on your vehicle’s engine and avoid further damage, turn off the air conditioning right away should your vehicle begin to overheat. We recommend adding fluid to your engine, before starting your vehicle again, or call in a professional towing and roadside assistance expert for assistance.

Can Hot Weather Drain Car Battery?

Extreme summer heat just as much as extreme winter cold, and extreme temperatures in general, have a strong impact on your vehicle’s battery. Causing the battery’s inner fluid to evaporate, the heat of the summer causes the battery in your car to expand, as it in turn, causes the vehicle battery to cease functioning a lot faster. When a vehicle’s battery is dead, it needs to be replaced and there is simply no way to prevent it in many cases.

What Happens when Engine Oil Gets Too Hot?

Since it’s one of the crucial elements that help the engine work smoothly and preserve its moving parts when summer comes around, you have to think about engine oil, too. The oil reduces its ability to lubricate the engine’s components properly when the temperature is higher than usual, oil becomes thinner and loses some of its viscosity. The engine’s efficiency is affected which will likely result in a breakdown and expensive repairs at some point due to the camshaft, the valves, the piston assembly, and the connecting rods that stemmed from excessive and premature wear on some engine parts. You should inspect its level every couple of weeks and remember to change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or as instructed in your owner’s manual to make sure the oil is able to lubricate the engine as it’s supposed to at all times. If your vehicle is older, you may also consider a switch to synthetic oil. As one of the best qualities of synthetic is its stability at all temperature ranges, synthetic oil has been field-proven to provide better protection than conventional oil. The synthetic oil is much less prone to thin out at high temperatures or thicken in subzero temperatures.

Towing & Roadside Assistance Services in Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Carrollton & Plano Texas

Should you find you need assistance from the summer’s heat negative impact on your vehicle, whether you need a tow or roadside assistance, the professionals Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance is ready to help in the Greater Irving, TX area.