Summer might still feel like it’s an age away, but it’s never too soon to get your car ready for warmer weather. As we head through April and into May and beyond, getting your car prepared for dusty roads and blistering sunshine (however little there may be here in the UK!) can help to keep it in top shape through the summer months. Whether it’s jumping into your car and making the most of a crisp AC system, or making sure your wipers are in good shape after a rough winter, here are 5 preventative maintenance tasks you can do in the lead up to Summer 2022.
Check Coolant Levels
When the sun is high in the sky and the warmth of summer is finally upon us, our cars and their engines can suffer the most. Even when there’s a breeze to cool us off, having the sun’s rays beating down onto the bonnet of your car can create heat inside the engine that could prove problematic over time. Overheating engines and the issues they cause are some of the most common engine repairs we see over the summer, so it’s important to ensure that you’re keeping on top of coolant levels. You need to make sure you’re regularly checking coolant levels as temperatures rise. If you suspect a leak, it’s important to get your car seen by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Change The Oil
When was the last time you changed the oil in your car? If it was recently, then you are likely fine to skip this step but if you’re due an oil change, now is the time to do it. Summer often means more driving, whether that’s for day trips to the beach, road trips on holidays or even just taking the long routes to our destinations to enjoy a bit more of the sunshine and so it’s best to keep your engine in the best shape as you go. Getting your car serviced or checked by a professional, and then keeping up with oil checks of your own over the summer will help to keep your engine in top shape.
Check Your Tyres
From salt on the roads to wet and often icy weather, our tyres go through a lot in the winter and so now is the ideal time to check them over thoroughly to ensure they are in the best shape. You may also find that you need to change how you care for your tyres over summer due to the change in weather. If you have summer and winter tyres, you’ll need to switch them out, but if you’re using all-season tyres, you should make sure that you get them checked, aligned and rotated, as well as check the level of tread you have the pressure. Temperature can change the pressure in your tyres more than you expect, so it’s important to check this as often as you can, especially before you head off on a long trip.
Replace Wipers
Winter can be harsh on our windscreen wipers. With bad weather and icy conditions, wipers can go through a lot and by summer, can often be damaged or in need of replacement. You should be replacing your wipers regularly anyway, but if you’ve noticed juddering, smearing or reduced visual quality, now is the time to make the switch. You should also keep on top of wiper fluid to ensure you’re never caught out in a summer storm or with a dusty windscreen while out and about.
Check The Air Conditioning
Finally, the air conditioning in your car is likely to feel like a lifesaver as the hot weather hits, and understandably so. However, it’s also likely that you haven’t used it over winter so it may very well need a bit of TLC before you can blast that icy air and unwind in the driver’s seat. Having your AC checked by a professional technician at the start of summer will ensure that you have a perfectly chilled car season-long. A mechanic will check for leaks, fix any fluid levels and ensure that everything’s in good shape.
To book your car in for a service, any engine repairs or for general checks, feel free to get in touch with our team to book your appointment, today.