7 Things Every Driver in Arizona Should Know Before Summer Hits
Arizona summer driving tips from Gemba Automotive
Reviewed by Eric Shepherd, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified Technician
Triple digits are just around the corner, and you know what that means ... It's time to break out the oven mitts just to get into your car and start leaving trays with cookie dough on the dash so you have a nice treat for the ride home with - or without - your kids. Arizona summers can bring a wide range of challenges for drivers, especially Phoenicians where the summer is often plagued with excessive heat warnings that can last weeks at a time.
Gemba Automotive has pulled together a list of seven things every Arizona driver needs to know and some simple tips to get ready for another summer in the Valley of the Sun. Every year, the first 110°-week hits and we start seeing the same pattern of dead batteries, blown tires, and overheating cars stacked up in our bays within days.
Check Your Blades Before the Forecast Checks You
Most Phoenix drivers don't think about their wipers until they're caught in a monsoon and can't see. Due to the Arizona heat, rubber windshield wipers tend to dry out quickly as they are made from natural or synthetic rubber which doesn't hold up in the harsh Phoenix sunlight. We recommend silicone blades because they offer more durability against the heat and they have a higher UV resistance which leads to a longer lifespan. We usually see wiper complaints right after the first monsoon hits, and that's when people realize too late; they've been driving around all summer with dry, cracked rubber.
When it's time to use your windshield wipers, always wait until your windshield is wet - or apply the washer fluid first - before using your wipers. Using the blades on a dry surface increases the chance of scratching your windshield glass or damaging the wiper blades. Using dry blades can cause excessive friction, leading to premature wear, tears in the rubber, and that super annoying squeaking noise.
In Phoenix, you don't really "inspect" wiper blades. You typically wait until they fail in the first monsoon and then replace them. If the wiper blades leave streaks, skip or squeak, it's time to replace them as it means the blades are no longer snug against the windshield.
When the Heat Rises, So Does the Pressure - Make Sure Your Tires Can Handle Both
This is one of the biggest summer failure points we see in Phoenix, and tire issues spike every single heatwave. As the temperature outside rises, your tire pressure rises alongside it, especially in Phoenix with the heat dome effect. Tire pressure can significantly impact the way your vehicle handles. We see under-inflated tires come in on tow trucks all summer long. A $2 pressure issue turns into a freeway blowout at 70 mph in 115° heat. If you're commuting on the 10, 101, or 202 in July, your tires are under constant stress whether you notice it or not. Plus, under-inflated tires lead to a higher fuel consumption; the steering may feel sluggish, and you will have uneven wear on the outsides of the tire. Over-inflated tires on the other hand will cause reduced traction and make it feel like you're driving on an icy, bumpy road, plus it will cause center-tread wear.
To reduce the risk of over or under-inflated tires, check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, before you have driven anywhere, usually first thing in the morning (which basically means: before Phoenix heat turns your driveway into a frying pan).
The best place to find your recommended tire pressure is on the sticker right inside the driver's side door jamb or the owner's manual. To check the tire pressure, use a tire pressure gauge or check your cars' info display. If you don't have a tire pressure gauge or your car doesn't feature that functionality, you can usually find a tire pressure gauge at a nearby gas station or auto-parts store. Once you have the gauge, remove the cap from your tire valve stem on your tire and put the gauge on. You will want to check all four wheels as the pressure can be different.
Arizona Heat Doesn't Just Drain You, It Drains Your Battery Faster
Batteries don't slowly fail here - they get hit by heat waves and just don't recover. It's not an urban myth - the Arizona heat really does drain your car's battery faster than many other places. Here's why: a traditional car battery relies on a chemical reaction, and extreme heat basically speeds up its breakdown. The reaction occurs between lead plates and an electrolyte solution typically made up of sulfuric acid and water. The combination generates electrical energy needed to start your vehicle and power accessories when the engine is off. When the battery is exposed to extreme temperatures, like those found mid-July in Phoenix, the chemical reaction inside the battery becomes unstable and leads to battery degradation.
The warning signs are usually subtle, and most drivers miss them until the car fails to start. We see a spike in battery failures every single summer after the first extended heat wave. The first signs to look out for will be minor signs like flickering or dim dashboard lights, or your air conditioning won't be as strong as it usually is. Slow cranking is another can't-ignore sign. As your battery continues to deteriorate, these symptoms will get worse until one day your car won't turn on because the battery won't be able to hold a charge anymore. You might be able to recharge it temporarily, but the battery will likely fail again soon after. In Phoenix, jumper cables aren't optional - they're part of your summer survival kit.
Another common issue Phoenicians face due to extreme Arizona heat is corrosion around the battery terminals. Corrosion around the terminals can happen when the battery fluid evaporates or leaks out of the battery casing, reacting to the surrounding metal, forming a white or bluish-green buildup. The buildup can interfere with the flow of electricity, creating additional strain on the battery and charging system, so cleaning the terminals regularly can help prevent an issue before it occurs.
Although the Arizona heat cannot be avoided, there are some ways to minimize its effects on your battery. Parking in direct sunlight can raise under-hood temperatures by as much as 30 degrees, so we recommend parking in shaded areas to reduce the heat. Battery wraps and heat shields can also help lower the temperature around the battery, and of course regular inspections and testing are recommended.
Don't Overheat - Stay Cool with the Right Coolant
Overheating in Arizona usually doesn't give you much warning - it escalates fast. To keep things running cool when it's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, you will want to check your coolant level and ensure you're topping it off with the right type of coolant. Be sure to check the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold before you drive anywhere. If you open a hot radiator cap, it is likely to explode because it is a pressurized system and results in severe burns.
To be safe and gauge system pressure, you can squeeze the upper radiator hose when the engine is cool. A soft hose is a good sign, while a hard hose suggests pressure buildup. This is also a great way to determine if any of the hoses need to be replaced or see if they are leaking. After checking the reservoir, if your coolant level is low, top it off with coolant but look for reasons why it might be low - often this can indicate an issue somewhere else in the system, like a leak.
Overheating isn't something to gamble with. If you notice your vehicle's temperature gauge starts to climb towards "high" or a light appears, don't ignore it. You will want to pull over to a safe location and let the car cool down.
PRO TIP: It's uncomfortable, but we've had people limp cars into the shop running full heat in July just to keep the engine alive ...
Think Your A/C Is Ready for Summer? Here's How to Know
If there's one system that gets overwhelmed first in Arizona summers, it's the A/C. They don't call it the Valley of the Sun for no reason - living in Arizona means embracing year-round sunshine and during the summer that means the heat can be brutal. Combined with the Arizona dust, it's essential to check your car's air conditioning system before summer hits.
The compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve and refrigerant are the essential components that make up your car's A/C system. When faced with 110 degree days, your vehicle's air conditioning system must work harder because it has to remove more heat from the cabin, meaning it runs longer and more frequently, leading to more strain, and wear and tear on the essential components. This can cause leaks in refrigerant lines or even a compressor failure.
The first thing we usually hear in June is: "it's blowing, but it's not cold anymore." By the time airflow drops, you're usually already low on refrigerant or dealing with a leak. Other signs to watch for include unusual noises, musty and weird smells.
To check your A/C system, look at the hoses, fittings and components and check for leaks or damage. We recommend having a trusted professional, like Gemba Automotive, check the refrigerant levels and recharge if needed as well as test the system pressures to make sure everything is operating as designed.
Summer Heat is Brutal - But Your Car's Air Doesn't Have to Be
This is the most overlooked summer maintenance item and one of the first things we replace after dust storms roll through. If you've driven through one of those brown-out dust events on the 10 or 101, your cabin filter is already working overtime. When the temperature starts to rise, we crank the air conditioning in our vehicles. The air filtration system plays a big role in keeping us cool and summer can be especially tough on cabin air filters as they must work extra hard to keep you and your passengers protected from the hot, dusty, dirty air outside - especially after driving through a giant dust storm.
Summer air in Phoenix is filled with pollen, dust and smog especially along our many freeways like the I-10, 202, 51, and the 101. The cabin air filter plays a crucial role in keeping the air you breathe clean as it filters out the allergens, dust, exhaust fumes from other vehicles and other harmful pollutants in the air like mold and micro-organisms that can cause respiratory issues. By replacing the air filter regularly, you can ensure that the inside of your car is a safe environment for your friends, family, and loved ones. But it's not just about health. Replacing the cabin air filter also means there is less strain on your vehicle's air conditioning system, which keeps the interior cooler.
So how do you know when it's time to replace the cabin air filter? If you notice weird or musty smells, excessive window fog, reduced airflow from your vents, or if you experience allergies only while you are driving, you'll know it's time.
Your Future Self (Stuck on The Roadside) Will Thank You for This
Every summer, we see at least a few people stuck on the shoulder who "thought they'd be fine for just a short drive." In the Arizona heat, "I'll be fine" is not a strategy. You are ready, you checked the tires, the fluids, the air conditioning is ice cold, the gas tank is full, and the nav is set... but are you really ever prepared without an emergency travel kit? It's a must have in every car during the blistering Arizona summers so in the event you do find yourself on the side of the road, due to car trouble, a freeway closure, hazardous weather, or any other unforeseen event, you are ready. If you only take one action away from this story, make it this:
- Drinking water for everyone in the car, including pets
- Extra distilled water or coolant for your car
- Snacks that won't melt and are easy to open
- Extra battery charger for your phone
- Jumper cables / portable jump starter
- A small tool kit with the essentials
- Flashlight with batteries
- First aid kit and any necessary prescriptions
- Safety vest and flares
- Printed road map
If you want to take things a step further, pack a blanket or towel in case you need to get on the ground to check your car, and pack some sun protection. If you don't want to constantly take this kit in and out of your car, we recommend swapping out the plastic water bottles for reusable metal water bottles and use a solar powered flashlight instead of batteries.