Top 7 Summer Vehicle Maintenance Checks
It’s road trip time!
Sun tan lotion? Check.
Mills and Boon? Check.
Strawberries and cream? Check.
Cooler? Check. The kids? Check.
So you’re all ready to roll out for your summer road trip…
Then you hear the voice in the background…“Darling have you checked the car?”
Question. Before you hit the road, are you up to date with your summer vehicle maintenance?
It’s ok I get it… vehicle auto maintenance is perhaps the last thing on your mind. But trust me, it will hit the top spot pretty damn fast if you end up breaking down at the side of the road.
So to help, here are my top 7 summer vehicle maintenance checks – which I hope once carried out, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for.
Oh… and don’t forget the lemonade.
First up:
1. Tyre Check:
I didn’t want to go there, but traveling during the summer in the UK, can and generally does involve driving in the rain. So its important to ensure that the tread on your tyres is adequate for any rainy weather, we really don’t want you ending up in a ditch.
Checking the tread depth on your tyre’s doesn’t take long, so while you’re at it you may as well check your tyre pressure too.
2. Replace Windshield Wipers:
Have you ever put your windscreen wipers on during a downpour, to realise they are not… doing the job there suppose to? It’s not a good look, and it can most definitely be scary.
The UK has just been through a rather intense winter, so it makes sense to check your windscreen wipers for wear and tear.
Winter weather can be ruthless on your windshield wipers, making them virtually useless during those summer showers. So by having quick vehicle maintenance check, and ideally replacing them at the beginning of the summer it should aid to a little peace of mind.
3. Check Your Headlights:
It’s so easy to be driving, without realising that one of your headlights is out.
Not only is it unsafe, but the police could pull you over and slap you with a ticket, – all of which is unnecessary. So what better time than now, to do a quick vehicle maintenance check,and take a little gander to see if you need to replace a headlight bulb.
4. Inspect Your Brakes:
It goes without saying, but car safety should be your top priority, and what is a car without good brakes?
I always suggest to my customers, that they at least inspect their brakes twice a year just to make sure everything is tiptop. But while you’re at it, why not check your brake fluid also.
5. Car Radiator Flush:
Did you know that the coolant in your radiator doesn’t last forever? In fact unless replenished over time, it can break down and begin to corrode the inside of your radiator. Which would naturally lead to cooling problems and, you got it…radiator repair.
A great, cheap way to prevent this and reduce the cost of vehicle maintenance is by flushing your radiator once a year.
6. Check Your Car Battery:
You may think, that checking the car battery every now and again should be given. But unfortunately, you’d be surprised just how many people fail to do it until it is too late.
During winter months corrosion is very likely to build up. So take some time out to check your battery posts and cables to ensure that you have no starting problems.
7. Replace Your Air Filter:
Last but by no means least; you should really replace your air filter twice a year. It’s a 10-minute job and good check to get it out the way before your summer road trip.
Glass of Pimms Anyone?
7 top tips for summer vehicle maintenance checks
Finally… let’s be honest, it’s summer, and at the end of the day who doesn’t like a drop of Pimms or a glass of plonk or two? But if you’re driving – car safety begins and indeed ends with you.
So please don’t do anything silly like drink driving or speeding, it’s really not worth it. But most of all, enjoy your road trips and enjoy the summer, because who knows how long it will last!
If you have the know-how and the tools, perhaps now is good time to look at undertaking some of my 7 top summer vehicle maintenance checks. If not, and you need a little guidance, feel free to get in touch as we’d love to help.
To vehicle health
By Philip Xavier