Get Your Car Summer Ready

You may have tackled maintaining your car through the Winter months but have you considered the potential problems caused by motoring in Summer? Warmer weather and long sun-drenched days can often mean longer road trips but hotter temperatures can also take a toll on your vehicle just in the way that Winter conditions can too. With Summer just around the corner, we’ve put together some useful advice on keeping your car happy whilst the temperature rises.

Let’s Go Round Again

Just as you would in Winter, it’s imperative to make sure your tyres are in good condition for safe driving. Worn or underinflated tyres can greatly affect your handling and braking. If you have a spare tyre, it’s also a good idea to check this is fully inflated and in good condition for any emergency situations.

Brakes TLC

Driving during icy Winter weather can ultimately mean you are harder on your brakes so it makes sense to give them a good check over. If you’re confident enough to remove and check your brake pads, look out for signs of crumbling or discolouration.

Battery Check

If you’re planning a lengthy road trip, it’s a good idea to check the battery of your vehicle and sure your fluid levels are topped up to the brim. If your battery is over 3 years old, it may be worth getting it tested before setting off as it’s more likely to die in the Summer heat.

Top Up Your Fluids

Don’t forget to check all of your key fluid levels so by this, we’re talking brake, transmission and power steering fluid. Some of these can be particularly tricky to access so we’d recommend you ask your local garage to have a quick check for you.

Don’t Be a Dipstick

Hopefully this is something you’d check periodically anyways but it’s always a good idea to check your oil levels. Remove your dipstick and check the level and colour of the oil – if it’s amber and reaches the fill mark you’re good to go but it’s low or black and grimy, your oil needs to be changed.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Driving around with dirty filters prevents fresh air from getting to your engine which can greatly affect things such as your fuel economy.

Do you suffer from hayfever? Prevent a nasty dose of pollen infiltrating your airwaves by replacing your cabin air filters - they keep outside smells and pollens out of your heating and A/C.

Don’t Sweat It

There’s nothing worse than getting into a car that’s been baking in the sun, to find that the cool air isn’t as cold as you hoped it would be. A quick regas of the A/C system should bring your cooling system back to life and make driving more enjoyable in the sun.

Hinch Your Car

If you’re a convertible owner, by this point you’re probably eager to whip off the roof and show off your freshly cleaned wheels but having a clean car is also incredibly important for your safety on the road. Remove dust and dead insects from your windscreen to improve visibility and finish off the bodywork with a wax which will also protect it from the sun’s harmful rays.

We hope these tips help with any half-term road trip plans and if you’re in a pickle over how to check certain parts of the car, you can always pop into your local RRG centre for a free seasonal vehicle check.