As the weather warms up and summer approaches, ensuring your car is prepared for the extreme conditions is crucial. High temperatures can take a toll on your vehicle, and proactive car servicing can prevent potential breakdowns, keep you safe, and avoid costly repairs. Here are essential summer car care tips to get your vehicle ready for the hotter months.
Check Your Battery
Hot weather can be tough on your car's battery. While colder months tend to drain a battery due to increased demands, the heat can cause battery fluid to evaporate, leading to corrosion and reduced battery life. If your battery is more than three years old, it's time to get it checked. A failing battery can leave you stranded in the scorching summer heat, so avoid the inconvenience by having it inspected early.
What to Do:
- Get your battery tested for charge and functionality.
- Look for signs of corrosion around the terminals.
- Ensure your battery is securely fastened, as excessive movement can lead to damage.
Top Up or Change Fluids
Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle, helping it run smoothly even under the strain of higher temperatures. Low fluid levels can lead to overheating and damage crucial components of your car, especially during the summer when the engine works harder to stay cool.
What to Check:
- Engine oil: Keeps engine parts lubricated and cool.
- Transmission fluid: Vital for smooth gear shifts.
- Brake fluid: Ensures proper brake function.
- Power steering fluid: Helps with smooth steering.
- Coolant: Prevents engine overheating and should be flushed and replaced with the manufacturer-recommended coolant.
Ensuring these fluids are topped up or replaced will keep your car functioning efficiently and protect it from overheating during those long summer drives.
Inspect Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses are critical to keeping your engine running smoothly, and summer heat can accelerate wear and tear. A broken belt or burst hose can lead to engine overheating and even cause significant damage.
What to Do:
- Check for visible wear, cracks, or leaks in belts and hoses.
- Inspect connections and clamps for any signs of weakness.
- Ensure the engine is cool before checking to avoid burns or injuries.
If you notice any issues with your belts or hoses, it’s important to get them repaired immediately to prevent breakdowns on those hot summer roads.
Keep Your Engine Cool
Your engine's cooling system works overtime in the summer to maintain an optimal temperature. Flushing and replacing your coolant can help prevent engine overheating. Coolants degrade over time, losing their effectiveness in protecting the engine. Ensuring you have the correct coolant, as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, will keep your engine running at the right temperature.
What to Do:
- Flush and replace the coolant with fresh fluid.
- Check the radiator for leaks or blockages.
- Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot—wait for it to cool first.
At Westside Auto Service, we provide professional cooling system inspections to keep your engine running smoothly through the hottest months.
Tyre Maintenance
Your tyres face intense stress in the summer heat, and under-inflated or worn tyres are more prone to blowouts, which can be dangerous on the road. Regular tyre checks and maintenance are key to staying safe during the hotter months.
What to Check:
- Tyre pressure: Ensure all tyres, including the spare, are properly inflated.
- Tread depth: Check for adequate tread to maintain proper traction.
- Tyre rotation: Rotating your tyres regularly promotes even wear and prolongs their lifespan.
Summer is also a good time to inspect your spare tyre, making sure it’s in good condition should you need it in an emergency. Don’t forget to check its pressure and tread depth.
Inspect Your Lights
Good visibility is essential, especially for night driving during the summer holiday season. Dust and debris can accumulate on your lights, reducing their brightness and effectiveness. Burned-out bulbs can also pose a safety risk.
What to Do:
- Inspect all lights and bulbs for function.
- Clean dirt and insects from the lenses to maintain brightness.
- Replace any burned-out or dim bulbs.
It’s important to avoid using a dry rag on the lenses, as it can scratch the surface. Instead, use a soft cloth and proper cleaning fluid to keep your lights clear and effective.
Wiper Blades and Windshield
A clean windshield is crucial for safe driving, especially under the bright summer sun. Worn-out wiper blades can leave streaks that reduce visibility and increase eye strain. With unpredictable summer rains, your windshield wipers are key to maintaining clear vision in wet conditions.
What to Do:
- Replace worn or streaking wiper blades.
- Keep windshield washer fluid topped up.
- Clean your windshield regularly to prevent the build-up of dirt and bugs.
A dirty windshield can be a distraction and a safety hazard, so it’s worth giving it a little extra attention during your summer car prep.
Brake Inspection
Your brakes are one of the most critical safety systems in your vehicle, and summer driving conditions can place added strain on them. Increased braking due to road trips, heavy loads, or stop-and-go traffic in hot weather can lead to wear and tear.
What to Do:
- Inspect your brakes for any unusual noise, pulsations, or grabbing.
- Check the brake fluid levels.
- Have your brakes serviced at the first sign of trouble to prevent further damage.
If you notice any warning signs, it’s important to have your brakes inspected and repaired as soon as possible. Don’t take risks with your safety—let our expert team at Westside Auto Service ensure your brakes are in perfect working condition.
Get Summer-Ready at Westside Auto Service
Summer driving presents unique challenges, from intense heat to long holiday road trips, and taking care of your car is essential to prevent breakdowns and keep you safe on the road. By following these summer car care tips, you’ll ensure that your vehicle is ready to tackle the warmer months with ease.
At Westside Auto Service, we provide comprehensive vehicle inspections and car servicing to help prepare your car for summer. From battery checks to brake inspections and coolant flushes, we offer a full range of services to keep your car running smoothly in the heat. Don’t let the summer heat catch you off guard—book your service today and drive confidently all season long.
Prepare for an emergency
Unfortunately even when you do everything right, sometimes things just go wrong. Do yourself a favour and save some boot space for the following items. They may just save your road trip from turning into an unexpected pit stop:
- Screwdrivers and wrenches of various sizes
- Jumper Leads
- Jack and Tyre Iron
- Quick Fix Tyre Sealant (for temporarily sealing a flat tyre to get you home or to the nearest garage)
- Water (for you and the radiator)
- Flashlight
- Emergency flares and reflectors
- Blanket and towel
What a lot of people don’t realize is just how hot a vehicle can become during the summer, particularly when stuck in traffic on the freeway. Follow these basic summer car care tips to help ensure you’re not the person stranded on the side of the road this summer.
And if you are looking for something new to get behind the wheel of this summer, then why not check out our massive range of vehicles at Westside Auto Wholesale. With over 3000 vehicles under one roof, we have something to suit everyone’s needs.
