Is the Arizona summer worth the care your car is getting? The Grand Canyon State may have beautiful sunshine and scenery, but its harsh climate presents challenges many car owners ignore until it is too late. Insufferable hot weather can cause overheating of the engine, while dust storms may ruin its paint and clog its filters.
Arizona’s extreme weather demands extra attention from drivers, although many make blunders that could have been prevented and that end up costing them hundreds, if not thousands, in repairs.
Whether you’re flying through Phoenix in your BMW or making a daily commute from Peoria, if you can avoid these five glaring errors, this may very well tip the balance between an easy ride and a surprise breakdown along the road.
Let’s look into them!
1. Ignoring the Cooling System
The Arizona triple-digit heat takes a heavy toll on the car’s cooling system. Most drivers just forget that the extreme temperatures really take a toll on the radiator, hoses, and coolants. A few missed checks or flushes of the coolant may result in overheating and very serious damage to the engine.
So do check the level of coolant every month, and have the cooling system professionally serviced twice a year for the best results. For high-performance vehicles, the best BMW service and maintenance in Peoria, AZ, for example, is certainly good for ensuring that your cooling system gets specialized handling to stand up to Arizona’s brutal heat.
2. Skipping Regular Oil Changes
Some of us might postpone that oil change for a few hundred miles, but doing so under Arizona’s heat is rather punishing for the engine’s life. Hot weather will hasten the oil’s breakdown and severely hinder its application for lubrication and protection of the engine components. Follow your manual carefully, perhaps step it up somewhat more in the summer. Clean oil is your engine’s greatest protection against those desert heat rays.
3. Neglecting Tire Pressure and Tread
Most drivers don’t check their tires until the situation becomes really dire. Hot pavement can cause a hefty fluctuation in tire pressure, and along with that, we have the under-inflated tires, which are not at all efficient; they reduce the fuel efficiency as well as increase the chances of a blowout due to excessive pressure.
Stretched tires become very slippery on hot pavements. Check tire pressure every week throughout the summer, and check tread depth regularly. Not only do tires wear out fast, after all, but in Arizona, rubber degrades much faster due to the UV rays.
4. Forgetting About the Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning is definitely a necessity when in Arizona. Many owners tend to dismiss warning signs such as strange smells and poor airflow until the entire system gives out on a blistering 115-degree day in Arizona. Inspect the air conditioning system without fail each year, including refrigerant levels, filters, and belts.
Preventive maintenance can save a tiny fraction of the cost compared to emergency repairs, or worse, health issues. For high-end cars that need special attention, the best service and maintenance could detect and solve AC problems before they get serious.
5. Using the Wrong Windshield Washer Fluid
It seems to be a trivial consideration; however, in Arizona, using water or the wrong washer fluid is a rookie mistake. Dust from the desert, insects, and debris need cleaning agents that don’t evaporate in the extreme heat. Quality windshield washer fluid with high-temperature specification should be used, and the washer reservoir should stay topped up – visibility is everything when it comes to safety.
Conclusion
Why let these simple errors impair your vehicle’s performance and safety? You should be well aware that Arizona does pose extra demand for care and details while working around the climate and road conditions. Maintenance of your car, whether it is an ordinary car or a luxury car, according to the conditions of the desert environment, will lead to a prolonged life for your car and will save you some money in the end.