AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s summertime in Texas, and with it comes more extreme heat and the possibility of severe weather. Paired with more intense weather patterns is summer vacation, a time when many Texans will likely hit the roads seeking a little rest and reprieve.
Before a storm front rolls in or you venture off for a road trip, here are some key areas you should check on your vehicle to ensure you’re traveling safely.
Your summertime car care checklist
“Starting off, severe weather or not, [you should be] making sure that your tires are in good condition, your tire thread has good life on it,” said AJ Garza, a regional manager for Jiffy Lube with oversight on the San Antonio and Austin markets.
During the summer months, the extreme heat radiating off roadways can threaten your tires if they’re more worn down and in need of replacement, Garza said. Ensuring they’re in good condition can help drivers avoid a blowout while driving, he added.
Three other key checkpoints on your vehicle include wiper blades, lights and the battery. Wiper blades eventually wear down after exposure to extreme temperatures, especially when paired with grime and debris and extended use. AAA recommends replacing them at least once a year if not more frequently, given Texas’ more intense climate.
For lights, Garza said this is especially critical if drivers are anticipating severe weather, such as rainstorms. Checking to make sure the lights work will ensure you can safely navigate roads, should you get caught in a downpour or other intense storms.
As for the battery, it’s no surprise that monitoring its condition and lifespan is especially crucial in Texas. Extremely high temperatures can overwork a battery and cause them to die.
“The extreme heat just completely puts a huge damper on your battery, so it can drain your battery out,” Garza said. “The extreme heat also breaks down your coolant and antifreeze a lot faster, which can lead to a vehicle overheating.”
Garza recommended checking to make sure your backup and spare reservoirs are at the proper level and the fluid is within its lifespan and hasn’t broken down.
Finally, with air conditioners, he said drivers should check to make sure their Freon — the non-combustible gas used in ACs — has been replenished. Garza added most manufacturers recommend drivers add new Freon in every two to four years.
A standard re-up item on a car Garza warned drivers not to forget about is their brakes. Those should be inspected routinely by a service center any time you’re getting an oil change.
There are also plenty of shops that’ll do a free visual brake check. He cautioned drivers to stay on top of routine maintenance so they’re not waiting until they’re in the “red zone” to do something about it.
“[Jiffy Lube operates] in green, yellow and red, which green is in good condition, yellow is for your consideration and red is for immediate attention,” he said. “So when it comes to brakes, nobody ever wants to wait for your brakes to meet in the red.”
What should you always have on hand in your car, in case of an emergency?
One guarantee is that you never know when you might run into an issue with your vehicle, but Garza said drivers can prepare themselves with a few simple items.
The first is a first aid kit, in case a situation arises and someone needs lower-level medical care. From there, he stressed the value of having jumper cables tucked away into your car.
A spare gas container is also recommended in case you run out of gas and you need to go fill up the extra container to replenish fuel levels.
Handheld air compressors are a small but mighty tool that can refill a tires in a pinch. Keeping extra phone chargers on hand in the event of an emergency is also one way to keep people safe and seek out help, as needed.
Garza suggested carrying a couple of spare blinkers or headlights, in case one goes out.
“If you know what your headlight is, it’s always good to just have one extra on your blinkers or your license plate lights,” he said. “Because you always want to be able to not only see but be seen.”
