What are some highly recommended summer car care tips you can follow to ensure an uneventful journey with your car?
While winters in India are nowhere close to what some countries in the Northern part of the world go through, the summer season does call for a grueling session behind the wheel. In many cities, ambient temperatures frequent the dreaded 40 degrees Celsius mark without fail, and the vehicles plying on the road take a beating owing to the harsh weather. With winters beginning to make way for the pleasant spring season, it’s about time for car owners to prepare their steeds to tackle the worst of operating conditions during summers. Below are 5 tips to ensure that your car beats the upcoming summer season without breaking a sweat!
1) Get Your Air Conditioning System Thoroughly Checked – More often than not, you’ll find yourself switching on the car’s air-conditioner the moment you step inside the cabin on a hot afternoon. It is crucial to have a properly functioning air-conditioner to maintain cooler cabin temperature. Car manufacturers set up summer camps every year which consists of a complete check-up of car AC among other things. Apart from ensuring optimum cooling efficiency and working of different modes, the check-up also includes inspecting the level of refrigerant, cleaning of cabin dust filter, blower fan, and AC ducts as well as detecting any leaks in the system.
2) Ensure Optimum Level Of Engine Oil, Coolant & Other Fluids – Summer season equates to a more difficult operating condition for the engine as there are higher chances of overheating which is especially true in case of older vehicles. Apart from checking the temperature gauge, one must keep an eye out for any engine-related warning or malfunction lights on the instrument cluster. All fluids, including the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid as well as windshield washer fluid, should be inspected and topped-up to required levels, or replaced if necessary. At the same time, it is also recommended to inspect the air filter and the condition of various belts and hoses under the hood.
3) Inspect Car Battery Health – Higher ambient temperatures also affect car batteries by increasing the rate of degradation which may lead to untimely failures in case of old batteries. Besides speeding up the chemical activity inside the battery, excessive heat tends to promote the process of corrosion. However, modern car batteries such as Amaron Go, Flo, and Pro series are built to higher standards to help them withstand the adverse effects of high temperatures. In addition to keeping the battery terminals sufficiently tightened, it must be ensured that they are free of dust, grime and any kind of compound formation. It is better to start considering a replacement if your car’s battery is 4 years or older.
4) Monitor Tyre Condition & Air Pressure – Tyres are the sole point of contact between your car and the road which makes it vital to ensure their good health. One should start by inflating the tyres to manufacturer-recommended pressures and checking the sidewalls for cuts, bulges, and cracks. Incorrect air pressures can lead to unpredictable handling and blow outs. Besides looking out for uneven tread wear, it is also important to ensure that the tyres have at least 3 mm of tread depth left. If the compound has become too hard (which normally happens in around 4 years from the date of manufacture), it is time to discard the set.
5) Opt For A Professional Paint Care Package – Unless the car is parked in shade or a car cover is used, the blazing sun takes a toll on the body paint which is prone to discolouration, cracking and fading when exposed to sunlight over a long period of time. An underbody wash is of utmost importance to get rid of the dirt, road salt, and grime accumulated over the winter season. It is always ideal to invest in a paint protection package (which may consist of wax, paint sealant, paint protection, ceramic coating and what not) available at professional detailing centres to ensure that your car continues to gleam throughout the years.