Thanks for the reminder. I'll check my insurance and make sure that I have road service. I can do that online with just a few clicks ...
Driving in Heat
- Thread starter Shel_B
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Just yesterday I ordered a thermometer to check the output temp at the vents. Don't want to mess with the system unless necessary. I'll check the cabin air filter to be sure I'm getting good flow, and then the output temp. Already have the replacement filter.
I'm not at all worried.
My spare is in perfect condition, almost brand new actually. It is a space-saver spare, though. I'm waffling about replacing it with a full-size unit.
With the maintenance you've listed the only thing I'd double check is to make sure the radiator is clear of leaves, bugs and dirt to make sure it is as efficient as it can be.
What's the best way to clean the radiator and condenser fins and tubes?
Very gently. There are good spray can cleaners out there specifically for this application and if possible i like to flow water through the fins from the engine side of the radiator, opposite of air flow to push any big stuff out easier. Don't bend the fins.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I use that all the time on track.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Heat is not big deal per se. High altitude is killer. If you are going above 5,000ft make sure all your hoses are ok as well as coolant reservoir.
Not sure if it’s been said enough.
Tires!!
in the hotter climes, i learned the hard way that heat, and more than that, heat and cold extremes, stresses tires. The Maryland area pretty much had this rule of thumb, replace at 5 years due to temperature stress. First year I moved up there with older tires was the first year I ever experienced a simple driving-down-the-road blowout. They get both hot and cold in that region.
Tires!!
in the hotter climes, i learned the hard way that heat, and more than that, heat and cold extremes, stresses tires. The Maryland area pretty much had this rule of thumb, replace at 5 years due to temperature stress. First year I moved up there with older tires was the first year I ever experienced a simple driving-down-the-road blowout. They get both hot and cold in that region.
couple gallons of water/case of bottled water in Tunk/backseat. A Big wide brimmed Hat (my Personal preference is a Army surplus Boonie), and a long Sleeved light Colored Shirt.
The Desert Sun ain't no joke. even in the high Desert of Southern Idaho where mom's Family lives.
oh! always Carry an Empty 1-2 Gallon gas can.
that way, if you do end up walking to a gas station, you at least don't have to pay jacked up convenience store prices for a glorified plastic jug.
and you'll automatically have a vessel in the car if you need to get water for the Cooling system in an emergency situation. (like from a creek, or a roadside "non-potable water" tank.)
The Desert Sun ain't no joke. even in the high Desert of Southern Idaho where mom's Family lives.
oh! always Carry an Empty 1-2 Gallon gas can.
that way, if you do end up walking to a gas station, you at least don't have to pay jacked up convenience store prices for a glorified plastic jug.
and you'll automatically have a vessel in the car if you need to get water for the Cooling system in an emergency situation. (like from a creek, or a roadside "non-potable water" tank.)
Been driving through 100 degree temps all week. Modern cars don’t mind. Just give it a look for any old belts, low levels or leaks. Air up tires and go. Most temp gauges are dumbed down and don’t really register actual changes. 1/2 way May be 190-220 before it even moves. Manufacturers don’t want people stressing out. I’ve driven a rental in 110 plus temps up long grades with a/c blasting, gauge will only move if you really are pushing the motor hard. Being a rental I was trying to get it to move.
Good ideas for any long road trip.
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I'm thinking 40psi on the tires (new tires.) New fluids, full check-up. Great advice all around.
Why? That's 6-lbs above the recommended pressure of 34-lbs. I understand that some people recommend higher tire pressure for highway driving, but I'd like to know your reasoning for 40-lbs.
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Sure, @Shel_B no problem. Short answers: You increase fuel economy a little, standard increase rolling resistance. It has been said increase payload (like if I show up with 60 gallons antifreeze in my car, as an example. And even if it wasn't loaded down with weight) and some feel you help save the life of the tire and help the sidewall see less heat, I've read this places. Maybe because more squared between tread and sidewall. That last one is probably nonsense, but I have always noticed a slightly quicker feel when the pressure is up. They say you should lower it in winter months if you see snow, that would have to be an extreme case.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro...ires-cool-amid-damaging-summer-heat/index.htm
I do realize the statements fuel economy and increased load capacity (of the tires) may be contradictory, but. Couple that with cruise control, and while I frequently but not always set cruise at 75MPH in my years of developed driving habit.. you're not winning any races but you drive with the road and make time, situation by situation .. you're probably doing your tires a favor, if not your wallet, over many miles.
You would be more likely to see wear on the inside of the tire first but it will be wearing anyway.
Hypermilers inflate it way, way, way higher than that and gets to the points of unsafe. I used to inflate higher than 40 but now, with age and wisdom, I think 40 is a fair inflation for a tire. Then it is also said the placard is for the tire that came with the car. Plus, the hot summer months, highway at speed for hours.. higher than 40 is probably really pushing it.
Overall, I concur with the first response in this linked article here, fellow named David Sandbrook, as to why: https://www.quora.com/Will-it-ruin-...n-the-recommended-psi-is-35?top_ans=126028298
If you inflate it to 40 at normal temperature on a cold vehicle and then drive at 110 degrees at highway speeds for a long time you might be above the maximum 44 psi (if that's what it is) rating. I would set it only to what the placard says because it will be much higher than that after they get way up in temp.
Yes I over inflated my tires when I was a teenager 20 years ago. But I remember doing a lot of dumb stuff back then.
Thanks for your detailed and thorough response. While I agree with most of what you said, I don't think 40 lbs is right for my situation, and by situation I mean vehicle, driving style, anticipated load, and my comfort. I usually have my tires inflated to around 32 front and 28 rear, but that's for low speed, around town, on the miserable roads in my area. For longer highway trips I've run as high as 34/34.
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I also have ZR rated tires.. I do agree, it is on the edge. I think the Z, while perhaps redundant, was for the "continuous speed" I'm rusty on speed ratings.
*Z rated tires
Maybe 38, because I KNOW I open it up and really fly on certain stretches. I suspect less police this summer because of budgets. Not NO police, but. Less.
Is a good point, same also @Shel_B
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