ACDelco’s top tips for staying cool this summer

It’s the middle of July. Scorching rays of sun don’t care whether your heat resistance resembles that of a snowflake or cactus; the heat will get to you.

A short walk in the middle of the day is enough to turn you into a sweating, gasping mess. Those who retreat to the comfort of their cars sigh in relief as they throttle the A/C to the max. More experienced drivers think twice though.

It’s easy to forget that our four-wheeled metal friends also suffer under the brunt force of heat. They don’t complain, flash warnings on the screen or emit unusual sounds.

They don’t do any of that. Until they break down, that is.

Prevention is cheaper than care. For this reason ACDelco – the premier supplier of aftermarket parts and products – brings you some quick and easy hacks to keep your car in tip top shape this summer.

Coolant & AC

Did you know that the hottest dessert in the United States, Death Valley, has temperatures well beyond 50 degrees Celsius? That’s enough to boil an egg on a stone. Now add a magnifying glass, like say the glass on your car, and we all know what happens next (hint: fried ants).

Keep an eye on the coolant recovery reservoir beneath the hood. You don’t need to open the radiator cap, just check to see whether or not the meniscus is between the “Max” and “Min” markers on the side of your coolant.

If it’s below the “Min” line, you may have a cooling system leak or the coolant-to-water ratio is off balance and the water has evaporated which would require a system flush.

If it’s above the “Max” line, you’ll need to remove excess liquid using a suction pump or loosening/removing the drain valve on the radiator.

You also want to make sure your A/C is regularly serviced. If you choose to go at it alone, refer to your car owner’s manual for suitable materials. You can also find out more about A/Cs here.

Save some time and money by booking yourself in with one of Mikaniki’s trusted service providers, who’ll get the job done for you.

Engine Oil

The screech of nails on a chalkboard has a wonderful way of catching your attention, doesn’t it? Engine oil acts as a grease that prevents screeching between car parts. Except you don’t hear any noise.

Oil responds differently in extreme temperatures, so you might need to change it between summer and winter.

Not sure how to do this without causing damage? One of Mikaniki’s trusted service providers can help.

You can read more about engine oil in the first episode of our Dummy’s Guide.

Fuel Tank

“You’re not you when you’re hungry”, says an old Snickers commercial. The same goes for your car. 

Always keep at least a third of a tank of fuel in your car. Allowing your fuel tank to run dry or consistently low eventually results in damage to the fuel filter or fuel pump.

Tires

Winter is not the only time of the year you should worry about sliding on the road. Summer humidity can trip you up just as easy.

Did you know that it’s against the law to have low quality tires in the UAE, and you can be fined AED 500 for sporting these? Also, you’ll accumulate 4 black points and your car will be impounded for a week.

Read more about tire regulations in the UAE here.

Mikaniki has a list of reliable service providers who’ll make sure your tires are up to scratch. Visit Mikaniki’s tire page for more information.

Park in the shade

Sitting down in a frying pan is no fun, right? So look for some damn shade (even if it’s a little further away from the entrance to the mall).

If you can’t park in the shade, then position your car in a way that focuses the sunlight on the rear, and not the front.

If you really have no other options, buy a sun protection cover. It’s worth every penny.

And there you have it, ACDelco’s top tips for staying cool this summer.