Summer is the perfect time for family road trips and lazy days at the beach. But the heat, dust, and traffic can all take a toll on your car. Here are our tips for getting your car prepared for the long hot summer.
Give your car a good wash
Cars can get awfully dirty during winter. The exterior gets blasted with mud, rain, and dirt, and windows become foggy and smudged over time. On the inside, cars can become messy from tracked-in grime, rubbish and stray crumbs. Get your car ready for summer by giving it a thorough clean from top to bottom. Include the wheels and underbody when you wash the exterior, and vacuum the carpets on the inside.
Check your tyres
To ensure your car can handle manoeuvres properly, your tyres must be in adequate condition. Under-inflated tyres will cause wear along the edges of the tread, while over-inflated tyres will cause wear along the centre of the tread. Check your tyre pressure before embarking on any long drives, and inspect them for any signs of damage of excessive wear.
Check the cooling systems
One of the most common causes of breakdowns during summer is engines overheating. Often, the reason for a cooling system failure is poor air flow around your car’s radiator. Get your car ready for summer by cleaning out any leaves, twigs, or other debris around your radiator and air conditioning condenser. Check that your radiator cap is in good condition, and change your car’s coolant regularly to ensure it retains its thermal capabilities.
Beat the heat on hot days
There’s nothing worse than a scorching hot car on a summer’s day. Invest in a windscreen shade so that while your car is parked, you can block out the worst of the sun’s rays, and crack the windows slightly during the day to let hot air escape. If you have small kids who sit in the backseat, you can use window shades to shield them from direct sunlight while you’re driving, or consider tinting your windows.
Maintain your windscreen
During summer, a car windscreen can accumulate a build-up of dirt, dust and dead bugs. Clean your windscreen regularly with glass cleaner so that you have a crystal clear view of the road. Before any long drives, top up your windscreen washer fluid and make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition. If you have any small chips or cracks, it’s important to get them repaired as soon as possible. If you ignore a small chip or crack, it can spread into a larger crack that is beyond repair.
Autoscreens is a family-run business providing windscreen repair and windscreen replacement services in Perth. They operate 7 days a week, offering mobile repair services, a lifetime warranty on windscreens, and extremely competitive pricing. For a free quote, call their 24 hour hotline on 0400 200 086 or visit Autoscreens to find out more.
