We all know how blistering hot it can get in Louisiana during the summer time, and getting into a hot car is no fun. You burn your legs on your hot leather seats, you feel like you need to wear oven mitts to touch your steering wheel and your dripping sweat before you even start your car! Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems. All Star Automotive Group is here with some awesome summer tech tips to make sure your car is in perfect condition for the hot Louisiana weather.

• Tires need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly. It is also good to have the tires rotated every 5,000 – 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it’s important to check the pressure when tires are cold. You vehicle’s owner manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle’s tires.

• Sunshades are sometimes metallic and look almost like aluminum foil stretched across the inside of a windshield. Others, especially ones designed for back seat windows, have child-friendly designs such as Winnie the Pooh on them. Their use is obvious: they keep the sun from reaching the inside of the car and heating up the seats. If you do not have a sunshade, you should try to park away from the sun. Parking in the shade or in a garage is also highly effective and recommended whenever possible!

• The key to summer driving is keeping the engine cool. We’re going to talk about the radiator and coolant soon, but first you need to check the hoses and belts. The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded.

• Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable. Hoses suffer from a slow deterioration process called electrochemical degradation (ECD) that eats away at rubber hose material from the inside. The most vulnerable parts of the hose are those nearest to clamps where the hose connects to the radiator or the engine.

• Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure that the material hasn’t started separating into different layers. Experts say the risk of belt failure rises dramatically after 36,000 miles.

At All Star Automotive, we offer a wide range of automotive services to make every step of your ownership experience as easy as possible, whether you’re shopping around for a new, used or certified pre-owned vehicle, or need repairs from certified experts.

To help you find just what you’re looking for, our new inventory and used inventory search provides plenty of options. And when you’re ready, quick credit approvals and online financing help make your purchase go smoothly and efficiently. You can also schedule your service online and get the expertise of one of our factory-trained technicians. All these options are available at Baton Rouge’s favorite place to buy and service vehicles – All Star Automotive! Proudly serving Baton Rouge, Port Allen, Zachary, Baker, Denham Springs, Prairieville, Hammond and surrounding areas.