How to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Arizona Summer Heat

March 26, 2025

Prepare Now, Avoid Breakdowns Later: Your Summer Car Care Guide

Arizona summers aren’t just tough on people—they’re brutal on vehicles too. With temperatures soaring well over 100°F, your car works overtime just to keep cool. A breakdown in the middle of summer in AZ is enough to ruin anyone’s day. Whether you're commuting through the Valley, heading out on a road trip, or just trying to survive the daily heat, here’s how you can prep your ride to handle the scorching Arizona summer.

1. Check Your Cooling System

Your engine’s cooling system is your car’s frontline defense against the desert heat. Make sure:

Coolant levels are topped off and properly mixed.
Radiator hoses are free from cracks and leaks.
The radiator fan and thermostat are functioning correctly.

A quick inspection now can prevent an overheating disaster later.

2. Inspect Your Battery

High temperatures speed up battery corrosion and can drain power faster than usual. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested. Look for signs of:

Swollen battery casing
Corroded terminals
Slow engine crank

Better to replace a weak battery now than to get stranded later.

3. Evaluate Your A/C System

No one wants to sweat it out behind the wheel. If your A/C isn’t blowing as cold as it used to, bring it in for a performance check. We’ll inspect the refrigerant level, compressor, and cabin air filter so you can stay cool in triple-digit temps.

4. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Hot pavement can quickly wear down underinflated tires or cause overinflated ones to blow out. Tire pressure rises with temperature, so check and adjust regularly. Gemba provides tire rotations and alignments to keep your vehicle riding smoothly all season long.

5. Replace Worn Wiper Blades

Summer storms can hit hard and fast. Make sure your windshield wipers are up to the task. If they’re streaking or squeaking, it’s time for a replacement. Visibility is safety. Don’t wait until you need them to replace them. The time to check them is now, not as a storm is rolling in!

6. Stay on Top of Routine Maintenance

Arizona’s heat amplifies wear and tear. Following a proactive maintenance schedule—like oil changes, brake inspections, and fluid top-offs—helps avoid breakdowns when you least expect them. At Gemba, we believe proactive > reactive, and summer is no time to gamble on your vehicle's reliability.

7. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

Even with the best prep, things can still go sideways. An emergency kit can be a lifesaver in the summer. Include: