Summer Car Maintenance
The summer holiday period is the busiest time of year for breakdowns with more than 5,000 a week in July and August.
The summer months are hard on cars – they have to battle against baking sun, busy traffic and humid conditions. But thankfully there are things you can do to minimise the risk of breaking down this summer...
1. Check your battery
Normally dead batteries are associated with winter but actually batteries don't like extreme heat. When the temperature increases, your battery ages faster.
The warning signs are if the car takes longer start and the interior light dims while doing so.
Short journeys with lots of stops isn't great for your battery. It doesn't leave enough time for it to charge. Take advantage of the warm weather and walk if you can for shorter journeys.
2. Check tyre wear
Hot weather can cause tyres to expand, which increases the risk of a blowout. The sun can also cause the rubber to crack.
Check that all four tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread, the legal requirement in the UK and across Europe. Also check they're inflated to the correct pressure.
Keep your car parked in a shaded area where it can remain cool, it'll be better for battery and tyres. And if you have a spare tyre on the back, consider moving it into the boot out of direct sun.
3. Top up fluids
Check your engine coolant level more frequently – particularly before a long journey. The coolant does a vital job at stopping your engine from overheating in summer.
Don't just top it up with water, the dilution with antifreeze is important. When the weather turns, it could damage your engine to not have in the antifreeze.
You should also check your engine oil level and screen wash before a long journey.
4. Plan your route
Make sure you know where the service stations and charging points are along your route. Free apps like Chargemap, Chargepoint, Octopus Electroverse can help electric car drivers plan their route appropriately.
5. Test the air con
This won't cause a breakdown but it's important on a summers day to stay cool. Air-con units that haven’t been used for months can suffer from cracked seals causing gas to escape.
Try and use your aircon sporadically throughout the year to avoid this. If it's not up to scratch, get your air con checked by your local garage.
Breakdown essential kits
A breakdown kit can be bought ready made but you can also build your own.
The standard items to include: High vis vest, warning triangle, first aid kit, torch.
Warning triangles are used to alert other road users that they're approaching an unexpected stationary vehicle. Put it on the road at least 45 metres behind your broken-down vehicle, take care when doing so especially on a motorway.
Pack a copy of your key documents like breakdown cover and your insurance policy. These can be printed out or downloaded to your phone.
The most important thing to pack in the summer heat is a bottle of water.
Other things that may be worth packing in your car include:
- Tow rope and Booster cables so that you can be moved off the roadside
- Footpump with gauge in case of a puncture
- Hi-Grip cotton gloves for maximum grip
- Extra washer fluid and coolant.
- Headlamp converters (if travelling through Europe)