Make your Car Summer-Ready
After the cold months are over, it’s important to get your car back in good shape. Depending on how you’ve stored or cared for it during the colder months, there are going to be some steps you need to take to get your car up and running. If you’re not sure what to do, read on to get some handy tips on how to get your car ready for the summer.
What is the first step to de-winterize my car?
The first thing you need to do is remove any snow accessories from your car. For instance, this typically means removing the winter tyres from your car and changing them for summer tyres or all-season tyres.
Another important step to take is checking the undercarriage of the car. During the winter, salts and grit are used on roads to keep them free from ice. This can become caked on, and if not cleaned properly, can cause erosion. Finally, check your fluid and make sure there hasn’t been any leakage during the winter.
What are the main things I should check before summer driving?
Once you’ve de-winterized your car, there are some important checks to go through to get your car ready for the warm summer months. First, check your wheels specifically the tyre tread and pressure. As the temperatures increase, tyre pressure changes by as much as two PSI per 10 degrees in an increase. If the pressure increases too much, the tyre could blow.
It’s also important to check the coolant and the radiator. Both of these are designed to run hot, but there is still a limit when it comes to the maximum heat. If an engine gets too hot then it can make parts fust together causing many problems. Coolant and the radiator keep the engine cool, so they need to be working effectively in the summer months. Summer driving should see the coolant be a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
Hoses and belts should also be checked as they help keep the engine cool as well. If anything goes wrong such as a snapped belt, then the radiator will overheat. High temperatures impact the rubber of these parts which is why it’s essential they undergo regular checks throughout the summer months.
For your summer preparation, you should also check your brakes. It’s the most important safety feature in your car. Staying safe is essential, and you shouldn’t drive on brakes that are worn. If there are problems, get them fixed as soon as possible as it’s cheaper to fix them sooner rather than later.
Seasonal changes can be hard on the battery which is why it also needs to be checked in the summer. Heat speeds up chemical relations in the batter which can make it overcharge, reducing its shelf-life. Tighten all battery connections, and run a quick check to ensure it’s charging well before you use it.
Finally, you should always change the oil and the filter. Oil is the most important part of the vehicle as it keeps all parts of the engine running smoothly and keeps it cool. Car maintenance recommends changing your oil between 3,000 and 7,000 miles. Heavy driving in summer can lead to overheated engines if the oil is not changed regularly.
What are some final checks I might miss?
There are always a few things overlooked. For instance, you should think about servicing your air conditioning in the warmer months. During the winter, you’re unlikely to be using it, so you may forget that it’s going to need a check. One of the most common reasons the AC fails is that you have low refrigerant levels caused by a leak. Checking as you start the summer is essential if you want to be comfortable during the warm weather.
Finally, you should also check the wipers in the car. Just because it’s warmer weather doesn’t mean you’re not going to strong or rain. In fact, there can often be summer thunderstorms which means your wipers are going to need to work. Having working wipers is particularly important during the night when rain and darkness decrease your visibility to less than 20 feet. Replace your wipers every six months to keep them in good shape for the summer months.
