Tips For Keeping Your Car Running Smoothly In Wyoming’s Summer Heat

We're on a pretty hot streak, temperature-wise, right now, and that's to be expected. It is July, right?

The heat can really mess with your body if you're not careful. The same goes for your car; the heat puts your vehicle under lots of stress. If you don't take care of it, you could be stranded on the side of the road.

Here are a few things to help you and your car during the Wyoming heat.

• If your AC is blowing hot air and isn't getting cold, a quick recharge could do the trick. You can pick up a recharge kit at any automotive store and do it yourself.
• Adjust the air pressure in your tires. Check your tires before hitting the road and ensure they are not over- or underinflated. This will lower the chances of a blowout and will help your car's gas mileage.
• Rotate your tires to keep the wear and tear in check. Rotating them every few months will help them last longer.
• Top off all of the fluids in your engine compartment: coolant, washer fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. Having proper coolant levels will help keep your car from overheating. Usually, these are all checked during an oil change, but it's always a good idea to check just in case.
• You should always keep an eye on your brakes and make sure they're in tip-top shape, especially when driving in Wyoming. Driving in the mountains is extremely dangerous if your brakes aren't in good shape. It's also a good idea to know how to use the gears in your vehicle. Downshifting (even with an automatic transmission) will help save your brakes.
• Inspect your windshield wipers and replace them if needed. Auto experts recommend changing the blades once or twice a year.
• Maintain your vehicle's air filters. Clean filters can do wonders for your car. The filters keep pollutants out of your vehicle and help the AC work properly. Buying new air filters is cheaper than buying a new AC unit.