Temperatures in Phoenix can reach 120 degrees during the hottest month of summer.
And that’s not all we need to worry about because a new heat record was set in Phoenix, the average temp was 95.1 degrees from June to August…
Extreme temperatures can cause cars with old and worn parts to be at high risk for breaking down during the worst time possible.
3 months of very hot driving in Phoenix!
What are the top 2 auto repairs we see in Phoenix from June through August? You guessed it!
- AC Blowing Hot
- Radiator Overheating
Don’t get stranded on the side of the road doing a search for auto repair near me…
#1. Car Air Conditioner Blows Hot Air
When was the last time you had your auto AC checked?
Most drivers never think about their air conditioning until it start blowing warm air when they are stuck in traffic.
I think I know why!
It’s because of the uncertainty we feel about taking our car to the shop.
- How much is this going to cost me?
- What extra parts are they going to add that don’t need to be replaced, right?
You’re not alone feeling that way…
But did you know most auto AC problems start small and are due to R134a loss, which causes the compressor to stop working?
R134a (freon) is a gas and can seep out slowly over the cooler months when the AC is not used.
Then by the hottest month of the year, your AC charge finally gets to a level low enough where the compressor stops, and then the fan starts blowing warm air on your face.
Auto AC repair in Phoenix is common during the summer months and drivers should have their AC serviced if they sense any change in their air temperature coming out of the vent.
Or, in a minute we’ll share how you can recharge your AC – hang on, and let me finish my rant on radiators.
#2. Radiator Overheating
The second big heat-related car problem is radiator overheating, normally caused by a coolant leak.
Newer cars with fiberglass radiators will often need the radiator replaced because it cracked along the top when the engine overheated.
When this happens the coolant is lost and in extreme cases, the engine can be damaged.
As with the AC blowing warm air during the hottest day of the year, engines overheat and radiators crack during the hottest day as well.
Once again it comes down to having regular car maintenance to keep fluids checked and problems such as a bad radiator hose or radiator cap from leaking out the coolant.
Don’t wait for the worst-case to happen!
Auto AC Repair and Radiator replacement are only a couple of problems that drivers should be aware of before summer temperatures are upon us. Tires are the 3rd item on the list of high-risk auto problems.
Don’t wait until summer is here, act now and get your car serviced by your dealer or mechanic before the heat rises. Or DIY…
What if you don’t have a mechanic or your car is old?
That’s easy!
If you don’t have a car mechanic then let Gotcha Garage help you…
Before you start looking for a garage you can do a quick check for yourself:
First let’s deal with the radiator (Video of replacing radiator cap).
With the engine cold, look under the vehicle for signs of leaks.
Leaking coolant is a dead giveaway of loose hoses, a bad radiator cap, or something wrong.
If you check the radiator and find the coolant low, you can start by changing the radiator cap first.
Then if the leaking continues to take the car to a garage for further inspection.
How to inspect and change your radiator cap…
Now, let’s check the AC (Video of charging AC).
As for the AC, if you’re daring enough, there are DIY AC recharging kits that are easy to use.
But please be careful when working around a running engine. Never put your hands near the fan belts or pulleys and be extremely careful with high-pressure hoses.
How to recharge your car’s AC system…
DIY Tip:
Always keep a gallon of water in your trunk for emergencies and I recommend reading Surviving The Phoenix Heat Requires A Car With Cold AC.
Good luck and please take care of these issues so you don’t end up stranded on the side of the road in the Phoenix heat!
