Whether you’re heading on a long road trip or for days out locally, it’s important to keep your car healthy during the summer months. Not only will this keep you and your passengers safe but provide a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
If you’re keen to look after your car this summer, check out our six top tips below.
- Check your oil level
Did you know – when the temperature is hot outside, your car’s oil can burn more rapidly? For this reason, it’s important to check you have sufficient oil by using your dipstick when the engine is cool. By keeping your oil topped up, your engine will operate efficiently and be more protected from wear and tear.
- Do an air conditioning service
During the summer months, you’re likely to blast the air conditioning more regularly – and there’s nothing worse than sitting in a baking hot car with air-con that’s slow and sluggish. It’s worth having your system serviced to make sure it’s working well, including cleaning, replacing filters and topping up the coolant level.
- Perform a full safety check
If you’re planning a road trip or any long drives over the summer, it’s worth doing a full safety check before hitting the road. This may include checking your lights, brakes, hoses, windshield wipers and suspension. It’s also important to make sure you have car insurance suited to your trips and that your road tax and MOT are up to date.
- Check your battery
To avoid any frustrating breakdowns during the summer, you should check your car battery. There are several ways you can check your battery health, such as testing your car’s headlights. If they look dim, the battery may be low. You can also test the voltage using a voltmeter, and check for any corrosion, cracks, or liquid manually. If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, take your car to a battery specialist.
- Test your tyre pressure
The outside temperature can affect tyre pressure, so it’s important to test this during the summer months. If it’s particularly hot outside, the pressure in your tyres can rise – which could lead to potentially dangerous blowouts. You can test your tyres’ pressure using a digital gauge, which will give you a reading when connected to the valve stem.
- Assess the brake pads
Another essential element to check is your brake pads. You may be able to do a visual check to see whether they are in good condition or not, by checking between the wheel spokes. If the pads look thinner than 3mm, you should get them checked and replaced by a professional.
By following these top tips, you can make sure your car is operating at peak performance during the summer months – so you can get out on the road and enjoy sun-filled adventures!
