Previously we talked about the importance of vehicle maintenance all year round, and looked at checking coolant systems, windscreen wipers and fluids. In this second part of the series, we take a look at other steps you can take to keep your car in tip top condition, come rain or shine.
Tyres
Your tyre pressure impacts on how well your car functions; it affects your safety, speed and fuel consumption. During the summer, when the weather is warmer, the air in your tyres takes up more space than the same amount of air does in colder weather. This means that your tyre pressure will be a little higher. If your tyre pressure is high to begin with, when you go on a long journey friction from the tyres on the road will cause that air to heat up even more and further increase tyre pressure. This means that there is less tyre in contact with the road’s surface, which can make your car harder to control, especially in wet conditions. Meanwhile, an underinflated tyre will put pressure on your sidewalls, making you susceptible to a blow-out. Check your tyres regularly and before all long journeys. Pressure should be checked when the tyres are cool (at standing temperature) and keep an eye on your tyres’ general condition. If in doubt, contact your local tyre specialist for advice.
Air Con
The chances are that you haven’t checked, or bothered much about, your air conditioning system for a few months. If you are going on a long journey or anticipating a heat wave, now is the time to make sure that it works. Aside from running the air con to see if it works, it is worth getting it checked by an air conditioning specialist to ensure that it is free of leaks and functioning properly.
Filters
Depending on your car’s age and model, it may have an air filter, cabin filtration system, or pollen filter. These get clogged up from falling leaves, salt, tree blossom, insects and other general debris. A blocked air system not only reduces your fuel efficiency by up to ten percent. It’s recommended that a filter is changed every 12,000 miles, sooner if you drive on particularly dusty roads. If you are in doubt, check the manufacturer’s recommendations or pop into a local garage.
Once you have got your car ready for summer make sure that you are. Invest in a windscreen shade to keep your car cool when it’s parked up, make sure that you take plenty of water on long journeys and never, ever, leave children, pets, or anything else that can’t open the door and get out, in a stationary car – they heat up surprisingly quickly and the effects can be very serious.
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