The summer months can put extra strain on your car, making it vital to perform some basic checks before you take to the roads. The following checks do not take long to carry out and could save you a lot of money in the long run.
GEM Motoring Assist has a great resource for motoring advice on information like we’ve listed below.
Engine coolant
Overheating is a common cause of breakdowns, especially when the sun is shining. To prevent your car from overheating, check that your engine coolant level falls between the maximum and minimum marks on the tank. If the level seems low, contact your garage.
Battery
Your car’s battery will have endured considerable strain during the winter months and it is possible that it has been damaged during this time. If you have experienced problems with starting your car, ask your garage to check whether your battery is in working order.
Windscreen
A dirty windscreen can make the sun’s glare more dangerous, increasing your risk of being involved in an accident caused by poor visibility. To ensure you are able to clean your windscreen whenever the need arises, lift the bonnet, identify the location of the washer bottle and remove its top. Top up the washer bottle with screen wash before refitting the washer bottle top.
Tyre pressure
Punctures are another common cause of summer breakdowns, with high temperatures often aggravating pre-existing damage. It is therefore important to monitor your tyre pressures to ensure that they comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the pressure in your tyres is too low, it may be a sign of a slow puncture. If left untreated, it could potentially lead to permanent tyre damage.
Tread depth
The legal limit for minimum depth of the tread on a tyre is 1.6 millimetres across the central three-quarters of the tread around the complete circumference of the tyre. As it is not unheard of for rain to fall during the summer months, it is important to check the tread on all four of your tyres on a regular basis. In wet weather, tyre tread is used to disperse water on the surface of the roads; the bigger the tread, the more water that can be dispersed and the more likely you are to stay in control of your vehicle. To maximise your safety, replace your tyres before the tread reaches the legal limit of 1.6 millimetres.
Brakes
The consequences of sudden brake failure can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. To reduce your risk of a disaster this summer, make sure your brakes are working correctly. All you need to do is press the brake pedal when you get into your car. If you can push the pedal to the floor with ease, you may have brake problems.
Brake fluid
In addition to checking the brakes, you should check the state of the brake fluid. Refer to your service manual to locate the brake fluid reservoir. The container in which the brake fluid is held should be made of transparent plastic, enabling you to check the level of fluid with ease. If the brake fluid in the container is below the minimum level, it may be a sign of a leak in your circuit.
Oil
Oil is the lifeblood for your car’s engine, so check your car’s oil level falls between the maximum and the minimum on your dipstick. Checking your engine’s oil level will help prevent mechanical damage which may prevent your car from running smoothly. To check the oil level, lift the bonnet and locate the engine oil dipstick. In most cases, it will look like a brightly coloured hook or ring. Pull on this ring or hook in order to remove the stem. Then wipe it with a cloth and put it back position. Pull out the stem once again and look at the oil mark. It should fall between two lines or marks indicating the minimum and maximum oil level. If the oil level is below the minimum line or is close to it, top up your oil.
Lights
The law requires you to maintain your lights in good working order by day and night. To stay on the right side of the law, switch on all your lights and then walk around your car. To test your brake lights, ask someone to stand behind your car while you apply the brakes. Alternatively, park in front of a window and look at the reflection of your car in your rear view mirror. If one or more of your bulbs appear to have blown, replace them right away.
Whatever the weather, it pays to carry out regular checks on your car to ensure that you stay safe on the roads. You could prevent a breakdown and perhaps a costly repair bill.
Written by Ester K. is a content writer at ladolcestudio.co.uk and a sales and Public Relations (PR nerd), obsessed with research, sleeping in as much as possible, and listening to podcasts. When I am not at home with my fam I enjoy long walks through the beautiful city of Jerusalem.