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.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.