Essential Summer Car Care: Oil, Coolant, And More Maintenance Must-Dos

We get it – when the sun’s shining, the beach is beckoning, or the barbecue is sizzling in the back garden, the last thing you want to worry about is routine care maintenance. But hear us out.

First off, it doesn’t have to be onerous. A few simple steps here and there are all it takes to keep your car in great condition. Second, by staying on top of routine maintenance during the summer months, you could be saving yourself from the hassle and expense of your car breaking down later.

Here’s our essential summer care maintenance checklist to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Test The Battery

Most people don’t really think much about their car battery until it stops working. If you’re on a long car journey or heading off on your summer hols, it can be inconvenient and stressful, to say the least, if your car breaks down because the battery has failed. But as one of the leading causes of car breakdowns in the UK, it’s unfortunately a regular occurrence.

It’s also the reason why it’s worth checking it routinely, even in the warmer months. Pop the bonnet and check the connections are clean and secure. Have a garage run a battery health check. They’ll be able to tell you how much capacity is left and if it needs replacing.

Recharge The Air Conditioning

Strictly speaking, air conditioning isn’t essential for the smooth running of your vehicle, but being stuck inside a hot car for hours on end can be pretty miserable. Your car’s air conditioning needs pressurised gas to function properly, but over time, this can drop, making it less effective. A garage can check it for you and re-gas it for a small charge.

Aside from keeping you cool, it’s always worth getting it checked because if it’s not functioning properly, it may indicate a more serious problem with your car’s coolant system, and if your car overheats, it can cause major damage to the engine.

Inspect And Clean The Air Filter

Next up on your summer car care list should be checking and cleaning the air filter. During summer, it can clog faster thanks to increased dust, pollen and humidity, affecting your engine’s performance, air conditioning efficiency and indoor air quality.

Car makers recommend you change your filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but at the very least, you should clean it regularly, so it remains effective.

Monitor Brake Performance

There’s a good chance you used your brakes more during the winter, slowing down in icy or treacherous conditions, which means an increase in wear and tear. They may also have sustained damage from rock salt on the roads.

Take your car out for a drive and check their responsiveness. Make sure the brake lights are working and listen out for any unusual sounds. If in doubt, take your vehicle to a garage and have them assess them in case the pads need replacing.

Keep Your Car’s Fluids Up

Make sure your coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer are all kept at manufacturer-recommended levels. Check the oil regularly too – the warmer weather can cause the oil to thin slightly, making it a little less efficient and able to protect your engine.

Get in contact with the team at EvolveArc today!

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