You’ll have all heard and be aware that you need to check that your car is winter-ready, but did you know it’s just as important to make sure your car is summer-ready?
Just like the colder months when there are different factors that can affect driving conditions and the running of your car, the change to warmer weather can have similar effects.
Check out our top maintenance tips to get your car summer ready!
Your vehicle’s coolant in its radiator works overtime in the summer. Over time coolant loses its effectiveness. Not only does it keep your car from overheating, but it protects against corrosion and lubricates your water pump. Conventional coolant will be needing changing every 12-24 months but if it’s been changed during any maintenance at your local garage or car dealership it’s more likely to have an extended life and only need changing every 5 years.
Don’t know when your coolant was last checked or changed? Use an antifreeze tester to check the quality of your coolant.
It may surprise you to know that the summer can actually be harder on your battery than the winter. According to the Car Council, hot weather and overcharging are the two culprits for shortened battery life. As your battery contains fluid and the heat causes it to evaporate quicker than it would usually, low fluid levels will result in damage. The key indicator that your battery could need some attention is a warning light on your dashboard, but also be aware of slower starts when you’re turning over the engine during summer months. Don’t put it off and blame it on the winter weather.
The sun is shining, the air is warm and humid, now is not the time for your air con to pack in. We’d highly recommend investing in a check-up of your air conditioning system just before the summer months every 2-3 years.
Key things to look out for are any unusual noises or bad smells emitting from your car air-con vents. It may seem obvious, but when your air-con is on full, is it blowing icy cold? Does the pressure seem sufficient?
It’s not just wet or icy weather that your tyres need to be ready for. Dramatic changes in temperature can cause your tyres to lose pressure more quickly. Tyres not inflated to the ideal pressure can cause poor performance on the road as well as reducing your petrol mileage. The ideal time to check your pressures are first thing in the morning when they’re at their coolest as the heat in the day will cause them to inflate.
We may also be biased but we couldn’t think of a better time to make sure your car is looking its best, so why not take advantage of the better weather to invest in that cosmetic maintenance you’ve been putting off. If you’d like to discuss your options to get your alloys looking good as new, with a true expert in the field, get in touch with one of our specialist team today who’ll be more than happy to help.
If you need your alloy wheels repaired, Prestige Wheels is here to help! You can come to our repair centre or get one of our highly skilled technicians to come to you via our mobile repair service (available in the North West, including Manchester and Liverpool).
