Get Your Car Ready For Summer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

#FueltheLove #CollectiveBias

One fact about living in Phoenix is that it is HOT.  Yes, it's a dry heat but it's hot.  Extremely hot.  When I bought my first car after moving here nearly 20 years ago, I learned many, many things the hard way.   The desert summer heat can be extremely dangerous.  There are a few things I learned to help make things a bit easier in the summer.

Park in the shade or buy a sunshade.  

When it's 100 outside, the inside of your car can exceed 150 degrees. If you are lucky enough to find shaded parking, buy a lotto ticket.  If not, a sunshade can be a HUGE help.  Especially, if it's reflective and can bounce the sun rays away from the car.

Another big help? A light colored car.  Dark absorbs, light reflects.


2.  Steering wheelcover. 

We often joke about wearing oven mitts in the summer but... we kinda-sorta-aren't kidding.  Imagine touching a the hard steering wheel after it's been sitting in the sun, in 115 degrees and it's 160 inside your car (or more).  Yeah... it's not going to feel good.  Oh and the AC takes forever to cool the interior down.  A steering wheel cover is a lifesaver.

3.  Check your tires. 

One of the things that is seen often along the freeways during the summers are tire blowouts.   If tires are cracked, low tread, and low tire pressure- it can be extremely dangerous and blowouts and accidents can and DO happen.

4.  Check battery.

Since it's so hot and the AC is working overtime, the battery takes a beating.  I end up having to get a new battery every other summer.  Between the heat draining it and running AC, it's not uncommon to be left stranded at a store or work due to a dead battery.  Get it checked and if it's low, replace it or this summer's gonna hurt like a motha... (yes, I am totally throwing in Maroon 5 lyrics...)

5.  Stay on top of oil changes and fluid levels

Oil gets extremely dirty with being in the desert, summer road trips and just... driving.  Since I have a high mileage car (eeks! Just hit 90,000 miles on my baby!), I get the Pennzoil High Mileage oil change at Walmart Auto Care Center.  I have never had a problem with service there, it's convenient and I love that they check all the fluid levels and fill them if needed.  Change my air filter, oil filter, check my tires, tire pressure AND battery power.  I also like that Pennzoil includes a free warranty (find out more here) and is a good, quality motor oil that removes more sludge than lesser oils. When summer is here, more than usual- it's all about one stop shopping.  Get all my shopping done while my car is being taken care of and kill two birds with one stone.

It's also a good price AND on Rollback.

From June 10th - September 9th, Pennzoil oil changes will be on Rollback at Walmart ACC {Automotive Care Center} stores:

• High Mileage $35.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $39.88. {Industry standard price is $46}
• Platinum Full Synthetic $45.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $49.88. {Industry standard price $66}

Are you going on any road trips this summer?
What three places in your state do you recommend people visit?
Can you think of ANY summer tips to have your car ready for this hot summer?

Need some road trip inspiration? Visit the Social Hub here