Prepare Your Truck for the Sweltering Arizona Summer
Apart from the deep canyons, awe-inspiring rock formations, and majestic deserts, Arizona is known for its hot and arid weather. With temperatures rising above 100°F in the summer, it’s important to know how to keep yourself cool. Most people drink plenty of water, wear light and loose clothing, and take a bath multiple times.
But, as important as it is to keep your body temperature at a normal level, it’s also vital to keep your vehicles cool. Whether you bought a used truck for sale or your ride is new, the high AZ temperatures can lead to serious and pricey problems if your truck isn’t well-maintained.
If you haven’t already started, now is the best time to get your truck ready for summer by following these essential car care tips:
Monitor all fluid levels
If you need to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, so does your truck. It needs enough oil, and transmission, power steering, and brake fluids, which act as cooling agents that divert heat away from your truck’s important internal parts.
When the fluid levels are low, those parts of your vehicle cannot cool as efficiently. This results in excess amounts of heat getting trapped inside the engine, increasing the chances of your truck overheating. So, you need to ensure that your vehicle’s fluids are filled to the appropriate level, especially when you’re using the truck for long travels.
Keep your tires properly inflated
Sizzling pavements and underinflated tires are a dangerous combination. When your truck’s tire pressure is low, the tires tend to have more surface contact with the hot pavement. This increases friction on the tires, which can result in premature wear and blowouts.
Tires typically lose a pound of pressure per month through normal seepage, so you have to check their pressure regularly, especially before using it. Keep the pressure level in line with the recommendation from your truck’s manufacturer.
Maintain your air conditioning system
Is there anything worse than trying to escape the summer heat by going into the cool interiors of your truck and finding out that your air conditioning system is malfunctioning?
Avoid this unfortunate situation by being on the lookout for signs that your truck’s A/C unit needs repair. These manifest through weak airflow, unusual noise, or bad odors coming from the unit. When you notice any of these, have your A/C unit professionally looked at and repaired.
Protect your interior from direct sunlight
If you do not have a garage or you’re parking in an open space without shade for a while, you should consider using a sunshade or a sun visor for your front windows. Apart from making sure that the inside of your truck remains cooler even under the soon, a sunshade also works to protect your dashboard and interior upholstery against damage from harmful sun rays.
If you want more tips on how to keep your trucks in tip-top shape or you’re on the lookout for new used trucks or SUVs, don’t hesitate to visit Canyon State Trucks and SUVs. We’re the premier dealership for pre-owned SUVs and trucks in Arizona and have been in the business for over 30 years, so we know what we’re talking about.
For further questions and information, contact us today.