Getting your car ready for summer

Summer is a time for holidays, picnics, road trips and all sorts of family fun. That’s why now is the time to think about getting your vehicle ready for any upcoming travel. Here are some tips to ensure your car is ready for whatever adventure you have planned.

Clean your car
Clean your car thoroughly from top to bottom, inside and out. Get rid of anything you don’t need, including the inevitable rubbish from under the seats and in the glove compartment. Vacuum the interior and clean the windows. Clean the insides as well as the outside, as the insides are likely to have fingerprint smudges on them. A clean car will also make you feel happier driving.

Check for corrosion on the battery terminals
The corrosion can be cleaned off using bicarbonate of soda and an old toothbrush, but if it comes back in a few weeks, this could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Don’t be left in the dark
Make sure you test all of your car’s exterior lights, including headlights, indicators and brake lights to ensure they all work. The lights need regular checking to make sure that you can see clearly when you are driving at night and also make sure that you are seen by other drivers.

Check your fluids
Before you hit the road, check the levels of your engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and wiper fluid.

Don’t forget the tyres
Check the condition of your tyres regularly. The legal limit for car tyre tread depth is 1.6mm (across 75% of the tyre). However, the deeper the tread the better. Tyres should also have no cuts, lumps or bulges. Make sure you check the condition of the spare tyre as well. Tyre pressure should always be checked when the tyres are cold, and never adjusted part way through or immediately after a journey.

Make sure the wipers work
Wiper blades need to be replaced every six months or so. Downpours can still occur during the great British summer, so check the condition of your wipers now, before you find you need to use them.

Beware of bugs
Dead insects tend to accumulate of car windscreens in the summer months. Apart from not being very pleasant to look at, they can also make it harder for you to see while driving, so should be removed as soon as possible. Making a paste using bicarbonate of soda and water is one way of cleaning bugs away. Apply the paste using a rag that you can throw away after using. Allow the paste to dry completely, then wipe it away with hot water. Olive oil, vinegar, cola and lemon juice are also said to be effective solutions, but you will probably need to wash the windscreen after using either of these. You also need to avoid getting cola on the car’s paintwork.

Check the air conditioning system
As the temperatures are heating up, you’re going to need the air conditioning to help keep you cool. Pay attention to any strange noises or odours, as this may indicate a fault. You could book an anti-bacterial clean for your air-conditioning system. Many car manufacturers also recommend that an air-conditioning system is recharged every two years. This is not included in routine vehicle servicing, so if your vehicle is more than two years old, this probably needs looking at.

Bring a bottle
Pack sunscreen (of at least SPF 15 and a four star rating) and an insect repellent spray in the glove compartment or door of your car, so you’ll have both to hand when they are needed.

Just in case
Have the number of your car insurance and breakdown cover in your phone, and make sure your mobile is fully charged before leaving, or can be charged in the car. An emergency can occur anywhere, at any time. Be sure you’re prepared by having these few essentials in your vehicle. Bring items such as a torch, blankets, first-aid kit, water, a flask of hot drink and extra snacks, just in case you need them.

If you’re unsure about anything, take your car to the garage to get it checked by the experts. Lastly, you should make sure that the car’s MOT and servicing aren’t due, and that your vehicle has valid tax and insurance.

Read more...