How do I protect my car during the summer?

How do I protect my car during summer?

While the British summer is rarely something to get excited about, even a modest increase in temperature can play havoc on your car. Maintaining your vehicle should be an all-year-round affair but summer is a particularly important time to keep it in tip top condition.

If your budget allows, it’s a good idea to book your car in for a six-monthly check as identifying any problems earlier on will save you money in repairs in the long term. However, there are a few things you can check yourself.

One of the first considerations to keep your car in good condition should be tyres as this affects the safety of the vehicle. During warmer weather, the air contained within your car’s tyres expands so it’s a good idea to check that they are reading normal pressure before embarking on a long distance journey. If you’re unsure of the correct tyre pressure for your car, check the owner’s manual which should provide the recommended level or click here .

The ability of your car to brake abruptly and remain in contact with the road following evasive action is dependent on the condition of your tyres. Over-inflation or under-inflation can affect handling performance and has the potential to cause excess heat, resulting in a blow-out. Both of these situations can be extremely hazardous but regularly checking tyre pressure can prevent them.

Naturally, motorists clock up greater miles in summer with holidays and day trips accounting for most of the extra distances. A long-distance trip is always a good time to perform some last-minute maintenance checks to ensure your road journey runs smoothly. Ensuring your car has adequate oil and filter changes will protect the life of your engine and help you to achieve a better fuel economy. Additionally, checking your car’s battery is a wise move as fluid evaporation increases during hot weather and can affect the performance of your car battery. Some batteries require fluid top-ups but if in doubt consult the experts.

A long journey with no air conditioning will quickly turn your annual summer vacation into a nightmare so think ahead and book in for a professional maintenance check to ensure it won’t pack up mid-journey. Early May is a great time to carry out an annual air conditioning check as any leaks can be fixed before the hot weather kicks in and experts will be able to remove any filters which need changing before they have time to cause problems.

In addition to mechanical maintenance, there are also a few jobs that can help protect the external health of your car. Many motorists leave their cars on the driveway instead of parking them in the garage when the frosty nights end but this ignores the fact that the heat of the sun can be just as harmful to paintwork. Intense heat increases the likelihood of paint bubbling and erosion and can cause paintwork to fade. Regularly waxing your vehicle with a protective UV polish will limit sunlight exposure by providing a buffer.

If your family owns more than one car, it can be difficult to stay on top of maintenance but preparation really can save you pounds later down the line and help you to retain a showroom finish long after you’ve driven off that forecourt. It can also keep you safe.