12 Basic Tips To Keep Car Running During Summer
Brett Michael Williams Chapman BWM on Camelback 5/12/2012
If you think that the winter was brutal on your car, think again. Summers can be even more grueling for vehicles. Just by pure number crunching of the miles, your car is likely to travel more in the summer compared to how much it is likely to travel in the winter. Chances are that the possibility of your car being on the road is higher during the summer. It is harder to be on the road driving during the winter, and we try to and prefer to stay indoors unless required for the most part. In the summer, we like to be out and about, go for drives, travel to beaches, and take our cars on road trips for vacations.
“On top of all the extra miles that will be put on the car in the summer compared to the winter, the summer heat can also be harsher on the car. Apart from regular services there are several ways you can take care of your cars during the sizzling summer months.� 1. Check Engine Coolant It is essential that you check your engine coolant levels regularly every week to ensure that it is at the correct level. Lack of engine coolant will cause overheating that can take your car into a spiralling downward disaster during the summer. Check the engine coolant level when the car is cool and hasn't been running. If the level seems low or inappropriate, it is important to take it to a trustworthy garage.
2. Flush Radiator Apart from checking the coolant levels regularly, it is also important to get your radiator flushed at least once and year. Beginning of the summer is usually a good time to do that. Overtime, the coolant in your radiator will get used up as it is known that it will not last forever. This needs to be taken care of before the summer or the inside of your radiator will get corroded. This corrosion will lead to unwanted problems in your cars cooling system and cause you money in maintenance and repairs related to the radiator.
3. Check Tyres The summer can cause extra wear and tear on your tyres, and affect the tyre pressure as well. Tyres with low pressure can reduce fuel efficiency and can easily start breaking down. It is important to check the pressure in your tyres regularly and keep them as directed in your manuals. Check the tread on your tyres and rotate or change them as soon as needed. Make sure that you also check and maintain the spare.
4. Check Cooling Fan The cooling fan of your car prevents it from overheating. It kicks in when the car needs to cool itself. It draws air in through the radiator in order to cool the engine.
However, if the fan is not working properly then the engine coolant can possibly heat up and boil causing engine damage. To check your cooling fan, drive the car to normal temperature, and then keep it running in park for a few minutes. The cooling fan should kick in to cool the engine. If it does not do so, then immediately have a mechanic check it out and fix it.
5. Service Air Conditioning Air conditioning is absolutely essential during the hot summer months. It is possible that the refrigerant gas is lost and needs to be refilled or recharged. If you know how, you can do it yourself. To be on the safer side, take it to a local mechanic. Make sure you get regular services of your air conditioning to avoid leaks and repairs.
6. Replace Air Filter Summer months are packed with pollen, dirt and debris. These can enter your car and what keeps them from doing so is the air filter. It is highly recommended that you replace the air filter so it does not get clogged. This will keep the environment in your car at its healthy best.
7. Check Oil Levels The transmission fluid and the oil in your car should be checked weekly and changed by a mechanic as needed for your car to run at an optimal best. Not doing so can cause irreparable damage to your car that can end up costing you big time. You can check the oil levels on your own, but make sure that you get them checked by a mechanic also on a regular basis.
8. Check Brakes The winter can cause damage to your brakes due to the road salt. It is necessary to have them inspected as summer approaches. The brake fluid also needs to be checked and if needed, replaced. Any local mechanic can check your brake fluid levels, brake pads and discs from maximum safety.
9. Test Battery The salt from the road during the winter months can also cause corrosion and rust to build up. Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. You can take your car to any local garage and they will do a battery check for you for free, while cleaning and checking other parts of it as well. Battery posts and cables should also be working properly. If needed, then you should replace your battery.
10. Safeguard and Maintain Exterior The summers can be brutal to the exterior of your car in more ways than one. The sun causes damage to the paint, causing it to fade overtime. You need to safeguard the exterior of your car by keeping it clean and washing it regularly. Apply wax and other sealants to your car's exterior. Clean off the salt accumulated on your card during the winter, and also check if your headlights need cleaning. Shampoo and wash the engine and other parts as well.
11. Replace Windshield Wipers Your windshield wipers could have worked overtime during the winter months. They need to be replaced in the summers before the rains hit. If the worn windshield wipers have caused scratches on your windshield, then make sure you take care of that before the summer rains arrive to ensure the best visibility for safe driving.
12. Prevent Overheating No matter how many precautions your take and how careful you are, it is entirely possible that your car can over heat during the summer months. For this, you should be prepared. Carry extra bottles of water in your truck to cool down the engine, make sure you have the roadside help numbers handy. Also, memberships to AAA could be helpful when in need.
Conclusion:
“The amount of maintenance a car will require is depended on several factors. The most important factor is you, the driver. If you take good care of your car, it will only benefit you and save you a lot of trouble and money. Even with cars that are known to be superior, need regular care. For example, say you own a BMW used car or for that matter even a new BMW, it is very important that you follow the BMW service schedule diligently.�
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