Your Car in the Dog Days
Aug 2, 2026
August is here!
2026 has had a hot summer and the smart money is betting that more heat will follow. While we can rely on pools, air conditioners and lemonade, our cars are not so lucky.
For example, car batteries are a primary victim of extreme heat. Typical batteries rely on a delicate electrolyte-liquid balance. When summer heat forces the liquid to evaporate, the batteries will function less efficiently and age much faster. Additionally, heat can greatly increase the rate of chemical reactions within the battery, meaning that internal components can age and corrode faster than in more temperate conditions.
Batteries may not be the only concern: rubber, while durable, is a very heat-sensitive material. While tires do not melt (asphalt roads melt hundreds of degrees before the rubber in tires) they are susceptible to pressure changes. Because added heat increases gas pressure, a change of even 10 degrees can alter the pressure inside the tire. This excess pressure can cause uneven wear on the tire and eventually lead to cracks and blowouts.
While there is no equivalent to air conditioning, there are some methods everyone can take to limit heat-related damages to our cars:
First, whenever possible, park under shady conditions. Direct sunlight can bring overwhelming heat to your vehicle, accelerating aging for multiple components. Additionally, UV light can bring additional problems for your tires and paint, so it’s best to stay in the shade.
Second, make sure to keep up with regular maintenance. Oil changes and proper coolant levels are essential for both standard car use and limiting damage from summer temperatures. Everyone is busy and it is normal to let things go from time to time, but make sure to keep your car in top shape so that it lasts as long as possible. Things like regular washing, or even an occasional wax coat, can prevent heat from baking debris into the paint.
Additionally, be sure to bring any concerning issues to a trusted mechanic. At Buck Chevrolet, you can rest assured that our expert team will do everything possible to keep your vehicle safe and valuable for the years to come. When you come to our dealership, you can know that every concern of yours will be investigated and handled by a caring, professional staff.
It is important for us all to cherish this wonderful weather (we all know what waits for us three or four months from now). Summer memories with loved ones are just unforgettable. While we should all get out and relish in the season, we have to remember that this is one of the hardest times for our cars, so keep up on maintenance and, please, reach out to us whenever there is a concern, we are happy to help.
2026 has had a hot summer and the smart money is betting that more heat will follow. While we can rely on pools, air conditioners and lemonade, our cars are not so lucky.
For example, car batteries are a primary victim of extreme heat. Typical batteries rely on a delicate electrolyte-liquid balance. When summer heat forces the liquid to evaporate, the batteries will function less efficiently and age much faster. Additionally, heat can greatly increase the rate of chemical reactions within the battery, meaning that internal components can age and corrode faster than in more temperate conditions.
Batteries may not be the only concern: rubber, while durable, is a very heat-sensitive material. While tires do not melt (asphalt roads melt hundreds of degrees before the rubber in tires) they are susceptible to pressure changes. Because added heat increases gas pressure, a change of even 10 degrees can alter the pressure inside the tire. This excess pressure can cause uneven wear on the tire and eventually lead to cracks and blowouts.
While there is no equivalent to air conditioning, there are some methods everyone can take to limit heat-related damages to our cars:
First, whenever possible, park under shady conditions. Direct sunlight can bring overwhelming heat to your vehicle, accelerating aging for multiple components. Additionally, UV light can bring additional problems for your tires and paint, so it’s best to stay in the shade.
Second, make sure to keep up with regular maintenance. Oil changes and proper coolant levels are essential for both standard car use and limiting damage from summer temperatures. Everyone is busy and it is normal to let things go from time to time, but make sure to keep your car in top shape so that it lasts as long as possible. Things like regular washing, or even an occasional wax coat, can prevent heat from baking debris into the paint.
Additionally, be sure to bring any concerning issues to a trusted mechanic. At Buck Chevrolet, you can rest assured that our expert team will do everything possible to keep your vehicle safe and valuable for the years to come. When you come to our dealership, you can know that every concern of yours will be investigated and handled by a caring, professional staff.
It is important for us all to cherish this wonderful weather (we all know what waits for us three or four months from now). Summer memories with loved ones are just unforgettable. While we should all get out and relish in the season, we have to remember that this is one of the hardest times for our cars, so keep up on maintenance and, please, reach out to us whenever there is a concern, we are happy to help.
Local Ties
Jul 24, 2026
It’s a common cliche but no one can deny it: the world keeps getting smaller and smaller.
Imagine the first people to circumnavigate the Earth. A journey that would take months of preparation and months more to execute can now be done in, what, three days? Even now, from Ohio, you could set off on a plane and be as far as Beijing within a day. You could leave a horrible snow storm and be on a tropical beach within four hours.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so eager to use our modern technology for good. As the world shrinks, so do supply lines and the need for local labor. Suddenly, the world decided to jump head-first into a race to the bottom, exporting manufacturing industries as far away as possible. Once thriving towns, like Canton and Massillon, got left behind, and no one batted an eye. Everyone remembers the great industry migrations of the 1990’s, and by the time the crash hit in 2007, the people that chose to bleed the American worker dry made a killing while everyone else fought to survive, day-by-day.
At Buck Chevrolet, we know what it’s like to be counted out. Our dealership opened right in the middle of 2007, when everyone, including car manufacturers, felt like their last day above water was coming at any minute. We know what it was like to see wages and asset value plummet, all while unemployment rose. We fought everyday to keep our small, local dealership, with less than twenty employees, safe from the crushing waves of international economic destruction. At the same time, we prioritized doing the absolute best work possible for our customers, whether they were buying their new family car or getting an oil change. When times were tough, we embraced our local community and looked for safe waters.
Like you, and millions of other Americans, we survived.
That is why today, nearly twenty years later, Buck Chevrolet still stands. Nothing has changed since those hard, early days. When you come to us with any problem or need, we will be right there to see you through. If you are looking for the newest SUV, our sales team will be right there to help you make the best choice for your needs. If you ever feel like your car is experiencing mechanical problems, our dedicated service team will do everything possible to make sure you are safe to drive.
In the global, integrated and modern world, we all interact with an economy that shifts beneath our feet. It is easy to feel powerless, we’ve been there too. That’s why today, we can make the sincere promise that when you come to us, you’re not dealing with some large, impersonal company. You’re dealing with your neighbors and friends who know exactly what it’s like to fight for everything they have, and that your community are the only ones you can trust.
Imagine the first people to circumnavigate the Earth. A journey that would take months of preparation and months more to execute can now be done in, what, three days? Even now, from Ohio, you could set off on a plane and be as far as Beijing within a day. You could leave a horrible snow storm and be on a tropical beach within four hours.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so eager to use our modern technology for good. As the world shrinks, so do supply lines and the need for local labor. Suddenly, the world decided to jump head-first into a race to the bottom, exporting manufacturing industries as far away as possible. Once thriving towns, like Canton and Massillon, got left behind, and no one batted an eye. Everyone remembers the great industry migrations of the 1990’s, and by the time the crash hit in 2007, the people that chose to bleed the American worker dry made a killing while everyone else fought to survive, day-by-day.
At Buck Chevrolet, we know what it’s like to be counted out. Our dealership opened right in the middle of 2007, when everyone, including car manufacturers, felt like their last day above water was coming at any minute. We know what it was like to see wages and asset value plummet, all while unemployment rose. We fought everyday to keep our small, local dealership, with less than twenty employees, safe from the crushing waves of international economic destruction. At the same time, we prioritized doing the absolute best work possible for our customers, whether they were buying their new family car or getting an oil change. When times were tough, we embraced our local community and looked for safe waters.
Like you, and millions of other Americans, we survived.
That is why today, nearly twenty years later, Buck Chevrolet still stands. Nothing has changed since those hard, early days. When you come to us with any problem or need, we will be right there to see you through. If you are looking for the newest SUV, our sales team will be right there to help you make the best choice for your needs. If you ever feel like your car is experiencing mechanical problems, our dedicated service team will do everything possible to make sure you are safe to drive.
In the global, integrated and modern world, we all interact with an economy that shifts beneath our feet. It is easy to feel powerless, we’ve been there too. That’s why today, we can make the sincere promise that when you come to us, you’re not dealing with some large, impersonal company. You’re dealing with your neighbors and friends who know exactly what it’s like to fight for everything they have, and that your community are the only ones you can trust.
