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It's still hot out there, and you would like nothing more than to go for a long drive in your air conditioned car. But then you get in and the car won't start, or your car sounds funny, or the air conditioning won't work. Summer can be bad news for your car.

So what do you do when both you and your car are battling the summer heat? Follow these four summer car maintenance tips to have you both calm, cool, and collected.

1. Check your brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. You do not want to be slipping and sliding during a rainstorm with faulty breaks, so make sure to check your brakes at the beginning of every season. Brakes can last anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 miles, but if the brake pedal feels soft and mushy or hard and resistant, it may be a sign that you need to call your friendly neighborhood auto mechanic for some auto repairs.

2. Change your air filter

Your air filter will become clogged easier during the summer as dirt and leaves can float around during wind and rain storms. Make sure to change your filter after 90 days.

3. Keep the engine and battery cool

Typically, your car is overheating because of a faulty cooling system or a low fluid level. When it is hotter outside, the coolant system has to work even harder to make sure the engine doesn't overheat, but if the hoses and belts are cracked or have snapped you may have a serious problem. At the beginning of every month, make sure to check under your hood for cracks, leaks, or loose connections. These precautions also go for your battery. You will want to make sure that the car's battery has the necessary plastic pieces that make up its casing. These pieces are put in place in order to keep the battery cool and to divert fresh air across the battery to extend its life.

4. Maintain the vehicle's tires

Tires are especially susceptible to over and under inflating in the summer heat as the rise in temperatures increases the air pressure within them. This means the tire can easily become flat, but a simple check with a tire gauge will help you prevent this.

In addition to this, mechanics recommend a tire rotation every 7,500 miles and to check your tire alignment every 6,000 miles. New car tires should be installed once every five years or so.

Don't let the warm temperatures ruin your summer plans! Follow these car maintenance tips for the final days of the summer season.