Memphis summers are hot and humid. Temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees F, and humidity compounds the heat stress on vehicles. Engine coolant works harder. AC systems run continuously. Tires expand. Fluids thin. Summer requires active vehicle care.
If your AC isn’t blowing cold air, have it serviced immediately. AC systems lose refrigerant over time (normal evaporation). Low refrigerant means poor cooling and added strain on the compressor.
AC recharge costs 150-200 dollars and takes 30 minutes. It’s money well spent for summer driving. A non-functioning AC in 95-degree heat makes driving miserable and unsafe.
Run your AC regularly during spring to maintain system pressure. Don’t wait until summer is here to discover it’s broken.
Your engine coolant prevents overheating. Check your coolant level monthly in summer. Hot engines use coolant faster through evaporation. Low coolant means overheating risk, which causes catastrophic engine damage.
Coolant should be bright green (or your vehicle’s specified color). Brown or discolored coolant indicates oxidation. If coolant is discolored, have it flushed.
If your temperature gauge creeps higher than normal, pull over and check coolant level. Never keep driving if overheating. Engine damage costs thousands of dollars.
Heat increases tire pressure. For every 10 degrees F increase, tire pressure rises approximately 1 PSI. Check tire pressure in the morning when tires are cool. Overinflated tires (higher than recommended PSI) have reduced tread contact with the road, affecting traction.
Tire failure from overheating and overinflation is dangerous. Check pressure regularly. Inflate to the recommended PSI listed on your driver’s door jamb (not the tire sidewall, which lists maximum pressure).
Worn tires are dangerous in any condition, but especially on hot asphalt. Pavement temperatures can exceed 140 degrees F on sunny days. Worn tires offer less grip on hot pavement.
Check tread depth monthly. Penny test: insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you see the top of his head, tread is too shallow. Replace tires when tread reaches 2mm, earlier if tread is wearing unevenly.
Heat thins engine oil, reducing its lubricating effectiveness. Synthetic oil handles extreme heat better than conventional oil. In Memphis summers, consider synthetic oil for better protection.
Check your oil level monthly. Heat and high engine load increase oil consumption. Low oil means inadequate engine lubrication and potential damage. Keep oil topped off.
Heat accelerates battery aging. Battery capacity decreases in heat just as it does in cold. A battery marginal in spring may fail by July. Have your battery tested in May to identify weak batteries before complete failure.
Battery replacement costs 150-200 dollars. Being stranded with a dead battery in 95-degree heat costs far more in frustration and towing.
Dashboard and leather deteriorate from UV exposure. Use a dashboard sunshade to reduce interior temperature and protect plastic from fading and cracking. UV rays damage leather and plastic gradually.
Park in shade when possible. Garage parking is ideal. Even light shade reduces interior temperature dramatically compared to direct sun.
Vehicles left in sun can reach 150+ degrees F interior in minutes. Children and pets cannot tolerate this heat. Even 10 minutes can cause heat stroke or death. Never, under any circumstances, leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
Heat thins transmission fluid. Check transmission fluid level (if accessible via dipstick) monthly. Dark or burned-smelling fluid indicates overheating. If transmission fluid appears dark, have it serviced.
Heat reduces brake effectiveness. Brake fluid should feel firm when you press the pedal. Soft or spongy brakes indicate potential brake fluid problems. Have brakes inspected if they feel unusual.
If equipped, check power steering fluid level. Dark or low fluid affects steering response. Turning the wheel should be smooth and responsive.
Before long summer road trips, perform a full fluid check: oil, coolant, transmission, brake fluid, and power steering. Verify tire pressure and condition. Test AC and ensure it’s blowing cold.
Summer road trips in Memphistouring Nashville, Little Rock, or Hot Springs means extended highway driving in heat. Vehicle preparation prevents breakdowns far from home.
In extreme heat, avoid prolonged idling (which allows engine heat to build). Use lower AC settings when parked to reduce compressor strain. On highways, adequate airflow through the radiator keeps engines cooler.
If traffic is stop-and-go, allow extra following distance. Heat reduces brake effectiveness slightly. Longer stopping distances are safer in summer.
If your AC isn’t cooling as cold as it should, have it serviced. AC loses refrigerant over time. In hot Memphis summers, adequate AC is essential. Recharging costs 150-200 dollars and takes 30 minutes.
Vehicles left in sun can reach 150+ degrees F interior. Never leave children or pets in vehicles. Even 10 minutes can be deadly. Interior temperatures rise rapidly in Memphis heat.
Heat increases tire pressure by about 1 PSI per 10 degrees F. Check tire pressure in morning (when cool) to verify correct inflation. Overinflated tires have reduced tread contact and poor traction.
Yes. Dashboard sunshades reduce interior temperature significantly. UV damage from sun deteriorates plastic and leather. Sunshades protect your interior investment while reducing heat.
Check coolant level monthly in summer. Heat increases coolant loss through evaporation. Low coolant means overheating risk. Overheating causes engine damage. Keep coolant topped off.
Synthetic oil handles extreme heat better than conventional. In Memphis summers, synthetic offers better engine protection. Higher cost (10-20 dollars per change) is worth the protection in hot climates.
Schedule your pre-summer inspection. We’ll check AC function, coolant level and condition, tire pressure and tread, battery health, and all fluid levels. One 30-minute service identifies any summer issues.
Call (662) 912-9403 for Pre-Summer Inspection
Related: Winter Car Care, Maintenance Schedule, Road Trip Guide
