Summer-Proof Your Ride: Essential Car Maintenance Tips For Hot Weather

We’ve all driven past poor souls broken down in the height of summer, car laden with suitcases, waiting to be towed and whispered a silent prayer of thanks it isn’t us.

But the trouble with breaking down or indeed, having to deal with maintenance issues, is that they can happen to all of us car drivers in the summer just as much as in the winter. The difference is what we do about it.

While you can’t remove the possibility of breakdown entirely a little bit of summer car maintenance goes a long way in keeping you on the road and off the hard shoulder.

Help Your Car Keep Its Cool

High temperatures can put a strain on your car’s engine, causing damage. Surprisingly, cars aren’t very efficient at turning chemical energy into mechanical energy, and in doing so, they generate a huge amount of heat, which needs to be removed. The radiator and coolant system are responsible for this, but only if the system is in good condition.

Regularly check your vehicle’s coolant levels and keep them topped up to manufacturer specifications. Inspect the hoses and pipes for any leaks and get them changed promptly if you notice a problem. And lastly, if you get a low coolant notification, don’t put it off until later – top it up straight away.

Keep on Top of Regular Car Maintenance

It’s not just coolant you should be concerned with; you should regularly check all the fluids your car needs to run smoothly. Engine oil, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid should all be kept at appropriate levels.

If the temperature is consistently hot, it may cause the levels of the various fluids to drop faster than normal. Additionally, oil becomes slightly thinner in warm weather, which can affect its effectiveness, and you may need an oil change more frequently. If in doubt, get your garage to take a quick look.

Check Those Tyres

You might assume tyres aren’t so much of an issue in the summer months. After all, there’s no ice and extra grip to worry about. But the hotter temperatures will make the rubber softer, increasing wear and tear and raising the risk of blowouts.

Aside from investing in good quality tyres,  you should make checking them and their tread part of your routine summer maintenance. The legal limit in the UK is 1.6mm, which applies across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but many experts recommend replacing them when they still have around 3mm left on them, as tyres degrade significantly below 3mm.

Keep Your Battery Healthy

Those lovely summer temperatures can stress your battery too. While warmth can increase the chemical reactions in your battery, it can also increase the rate at which it degrades. If you’re visiting your garage for a service or MOT, make sure they test the charge and health of your battery too, especially if it’s over three years old. According to the RAC, battery failure is the most common cause of breakdowns, accounting for almost 20%, so getting yours replaced before it fails can save you time and hassle.

General Car Maintenance Tips for Summer

Beyond the battery, tyres and coolant, there are a few other things you can do to keep your car healthy in the heat.

• Air conditioning needs good gas pressure to work - Many garages will check your levels for you and charge you a relatively small amount to re-gas
• Clean your windscreen regularly - The build-up of dead bugs can impact visibility and isn’t shifted by the windscreen washers
• Check the quality of your wipers – We live in the UK, of course, it’s going to rain in summer! Make sure your wipers are free from cracks and splits, which can impede performance
• Keep a basic repair/safety kit in your car – Include things like a spare bulb kit, wheel replacement jack, spanner for undoing wheel nuts, a first aid kit, high-vis jacket, emergency triangle, bottled water and a small fire extinguisher. You never know when you might need them

Get in contact with the team at EvolveArc today!

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