Summer Driving: Simple Checklist to Follow for Running Your Car Smoothly

Ensure a smooth summer driving experience with these simple car maintenance tips. Check your air conditioning, tyres, coolant, oil, brakes, wipers, and stay hydrated.

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Summer is upon us, and it's the perfect time to hit the open road and enjoy the sunshine. However, it's essential to ensure that your car is well-maintained and ready to handle the heat. Here are the simple maintenance tips for summer that will help you beat the heat and keep your vehicle running smoothly:

Check Your Air Conditioning

As summer approaches, we all look forward to the warm weather, but the heat can be unbearable, especially when you're driving in a car without air conditioning.

It's crucial to ensure your vehicle's air conditioning system is in good working condition before the heatwaves hit.

After a long winter and spring, your car's AC system may not have been used for a while, so it's essential to test it to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

If you notice warm air blowing out of the vents, the issue could be due to low refrigerant levels, commonly known as Freon. A quick fix would be to add refrigerant to the system, which should give it a much-needed boost. However, if the problem persists, it's best to take your car to a mechanic who can diagnose and treat the issue professionally.

Check Your Tyres

Your car's tyres play a critical role in ensuring your safety on the road. They are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, and their condition can significantly impact your car's performance, especially during the summer season.

To ensure optimal driving conditions during hot weather, it's essential to maintain optimal air pressure and tread depth. When the temperatures rise, the air in your tyres expands, increasing pressure, which can cause a blowout, especially at high speeds. One solution to this problem is to switch to nitrogen air for your tyres. Unlike regular air, nitrogen is immune to thermal expansion, which means it maintains consistent pressure, ensuring a safe and comfortable driving experience.

Moreover, as the side walls of the tyres have a high probability of getting damaged due to the high tarmac temperature, that might also lead to tyre bursts, it is advisable to keep the tyre pressure up by 3 to 5 psi to avoid such incidents.

Top Off Coolant Fluid

Checking your coolant fluid is particularly important during the summer months, as it plays a vital role in keeping your car's engine from overheating. Here's how you can check your coolant level:

• Open the hood of your car.
• Locate the coolant reservoir and remove the cap.
• Check the coolant level by looking at the indicator lines on the reservoir.
• If the coolant level is too low, add the appropriate amount of coolant to the reservoir.
• Reattach the cap.

If you're not comfortable checking your engine fluids, including the coolant level, your nearest mechanic can help you top everything off.

It's important to keep your engine fluids at the appropriate level to ensure that your car runs smoothly during the summer months.

Neglecting to do so can lead to engine damage and costly repairs. So, take the time to check your engine fluids regularly, and keep your car in top shape for a fun and safe summer driving experience.

Getting your oil & filter changed

Regularly changing your car's oil and filter is one of the most effective ways to ensure your vehicle's longevity. Engine oil serves as a lubricant to protect your engine from wear and tear, and the oil filter helps remove contaminants from the engine oil.

Changing your car's oil and filter is a relatively straightforward process, but it's essential to do it regularly. If you neglect this essential service, your car can develop costly oil problems, such as particle buildup, which can cause significant damage to vital engine parts.

To avoid such problems, it's a good rule of thumb to change your oil every 5,000 miles or to follow the oil maintenance guidelines recommended by your car's manufacturer. By doing so, you can keep your car running smoothly and prolong its lifespan, saving you money on expensive repairs in the long run.

Also read our detailed article on: How To Check and Change Engine Oil?

Test Your Break

Summer driving can take a toll on your car's brakes, and it's essential to keep them in good working condition to ensure your safety on the road.

One common issue that drivers face during this season is fading brakes. Fading brakes occur due to excessive heat, which causes the brake pads to wear out faster than usual.

To avoid any potential safety hazards, it's crucial to keep a close eye on your disc pad wear and replace them with new ones as soon as you notice any signs of wear and tear.

Additionally, it's important to check your brake fluid levels regularly and top them up if required.
By keeping your brakes in top condition, you can ensure optimal stopping power and avoid any potential accidents on the road.

Remember, your safety and that of your passengers should always be your top priority, especially during the summer season when road conditions can be challenging.

Check Wiper and Washer

Make sure your car wipers are ready for summer by following these steps: clean the windshield, check the blades for wear, tighten loose bolts, adjust arm tension, clean the blades, and test them.

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