Pittsburgh summers don't mess around. Between the humidity, the heat, and the stop-and-go traffic through tunnels and bridges, July is one of the toughest months of the year on your vehicle — even if it doesn't feel that way from behind the wheel.

 

At Bowser Automotive, we see the same issues come through our service bays every July. Here are the three things we recommend every Pittsburgh driver check before the heat really sets in.

It's easy to forget about your air conditioning until the day it stops working — usually on the hottest, most humid afternoon of the year. Pittsburgh's summer humidity makes a struggling AC system feel even worse, since the compressor has to work harder to pull moisture out of the air along with cooling it.

Low refrigerant, a failing compressor, or a clogged cabin air filter are the most common culprits. None of them get better on their own, and all of them are easier (and cheaper) to fix before they fail completely.

 

BOWSER TIP: If your AC is blowing weak, warm, or smells musty, get it checked now — not in the middle of a heat advisory.

Pittsburgh's terrain is brutal on tires. Climbing and descending our hills, taking sharp turns on streets like those in Mount Washington or the South Side Slopes, and dealing with uneven pavement left over from winter all add extra wear.

 

Hot summer pavement also affects tire pressure. As temperatures rise, so does the air pressure inside your tires, and overinflated tires reduce your grip and increase blowout risk — particularly at highway speeds on the Parkway or over our many bridges.

 

BOWSER TIP: Check tire pressure monthly (including your spare) and inspect tread depth. If you're noticing uneven wear, it might be a sign your alignment needs attention — common after a winter of pothole season.

Heat is harder on a car battery than cold winter temperatures are. The combination of high under-hood temperatures and stop-and-go traffic — something Pittsburgh drivers know well thanks to construction season and tunnel backups — accelerates battery wear and can cause a battery that's already weakening to fail without warning.

 

At the same time, low or aging coolant can't do its job protecting your engine from overheating, especially when you're idling in traffic on a 90-degree day.

 

BOWSER TIP: Have your battery tested and your coolant level and condition checked together. It's a quick inspection that can prevent a roadside breakdown later in the summer.

July in Pittsburgh is hard on cars, but a quick inspection now can save you from a much bigger headache later — especially if you've got a road trip or a busy summer of errands ahead.

 

Schedule your summer car care check with Bowser Automotive today, and let our team make sure your vehicle is ready for whatever the rest of the season brings.