Best Ways to take care of your Car in the Summer
Best Ways to take care of your Car in the Summer
Posted on June 20, 2022
Canadian winters can be brutal on most used vehicles, but the summer can be just as challenging. We tend to prepare our cars for the snowy months properly but think that the vehicle will get itself through the summer without any care preparations!
Summer car maintenance is just as essential as for the winter months, so let's look at how we can help you take care of your car throughout the summer months.
Care Tip #1: Fluids
As temperatures start to soar, paying attention to the fluids in your vehicle has to be at the top of your list for your summer car care.
Check the coolant in the radiator and ensure it’s at the correct level. Also, check the hoses and ensure there are no loose clamps or cracks.
While you have the hood open, check the oil level, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid levels.
Care Tip #2: Tyres
Did you know that your tyres can lose air (1 - 3 PSI) every month and that this figure can rise substantially when the tyres are rolling over hot road surfaces?
This means that tyre pressures should be carefully monitored during the summer. Both over and under-inflated tyres can cause problems and lead to premature failure. Tyres are an expensive commodity, so save yourself unnecessary expenses by looking after your tyres and ensuring they’re adequately inflated to the manufacturer's specifications.
Care Tip #3: Check Belts and Hoses
Summer car maintenance is all about keeping cool, both for your engine and yourself.
We’ve spoken about checking the hoses for the radiator, but you must also pay attention to the belt that drives the fan, pulling cool air through the radiator. Any signs of wear should result in the belt being replaced. Also, think of the belt's age; sometimes, old belts may look good but fail soon after due to the material deteriorating with age. You should get all the belts checked by a professional and have any problematic belts replaced.
The air conditioning unit needs to be working efficiently for the interior so you stay cool. If your air-con works on a belt, ensure they’re also checked for wear.
Care Tip #4: Filters
Winter can be tough on filters, especially the air filter, when salt and other debris carried in snow can clog up the paper filter.
Generally, manufacturers recommend changing the filter every 20,000 kilometres. If you’re planning a summer trip that involves a lot of dirt road driving, then take the time to check your air filter.
Care Tip #5: Clean
Take the time to get your car washed regularly during the hot months. This is the time of year when insects thrive. Leaving their remains on your paintwork is a recipe for stains that’ll need deep polishing to remove if not washed regularly.
Salt breezes from the ocean can also be detrimental to your car's body, and regularly washing to remove the salty residue is essential to stave off rust.
Final Thoughts
Summer maintenance is essential, and a used car should be maintained regularly. We provide excellent car service in Nanaimo and will happily undertake these tasks if you feel you can’t do them yourself.