Many motorists take extra care of their vehicles during the winter, but they can become complacent during the warmer months. While there are specific dangers such as ice on the road and freezing external temperatures, this doesn’t mean you should neglect your maintenance routine during the summer.
Warmer times of the year can bring their own risks, and there are some vital checks and tasks you should undertake.
Pay Attention to Your Tires
Hot temperatures can cause your tire pressures to increase to the point where they become over inflated. There can even be a risk of punctures in extreme heat, so clearly this can be a serious problem.
Check those pressures regularly and consider switching to summer tires in the warmer periods. These are tires designed to provide better efficiency and safety as they are made from a harder compound that softens in hot weather. Those key factors are maintained, so it’s worth looking at a change to a brand such as Lauffen summer performance tires as a first point in tackling summer motoring maintenance.
Cooling Systems
It’s logical that the cooling system of your vehicle is most at risk when hot weather comes along. Overheating can lead to engine failure and a series of costly repairs. The system relies on coolant, and the quality of the liquid used can be essential to keeping your car on the road.
A higher-grade liquid carries a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point, so it guards against extreme temperatures in both directions. If you have concerns, take your vehicle to your local garage and ask them to change the coolant.
If you’re happy with the quality of your liquid, check the reservoir as part of your weekly routine and make sure it’s fully topped up.
Maintain Air Conditioning
The summer sees AC working at its hardest to keep things cool. You don’t, however, need to wait for warm temperatures to maintain the air conditioning in your vehicle. The unit should be serviced regularly, and filters changed to maintain optimum performance.
It’s a maintenance routine best left to your local garage, but while there is a financial outlay, it’s more cost effective than replacing your air conditioning when it’s worn out.
Battery
Your car battery also works harder during warmer months, and it can be at risk. If you are aware that you have a battery coming to the end of its shelf life, consider investing in a replacement.
Signs of imminent battery failure may include slower speeds and the engine turning over more slowly. The battery light may also flicker when you turn on the ignition. If you notice any of these signs, source a replacement battery straight away.
Protecting Paintwork
It’s an area that’s often overlooked, but it could prove to be the costliest. Damaged paintwork may be only cosmetic, but it’s expensive to address, and if left, it will affect the resale value of your vehicle.
Remember to park your car out of direct sunlight if you are going to leave it for extended periods of time. If this isn’t possible at home, look at investing in some type of shading to keep the sun off your precious paintwork.
Regular Maintenance
While the summer requires extra care in certain areas of your vehicle, you shouldn’t neglect your regular maintenance routine. Once a week, it pays to check oil and fuel levels, and other fluids such as windscreen wash.
Tire pressure, coolant and battery checks are among the summer-specific tasks you can carry out at this time.
We should always carry out regular maintenance at all times of the year, and the summer brings certain risks to motorists. Warmer weather affects many internal and external components and threatens both performance and safety.
As we’ve seen, there are ways in which we can help prevent problems at warmer times of the year, so be sure to take these tips on board.
