We all know that summer is the best season for road trips. With long days and the perfect amount of sunshine, summer is a great time for a long drive or a holiday with family or friends. This also means that summer is when you should look at getting your car into top shape. If you have any dings or dents on your car’s body, now is the time to go for paintless dent removal in Melbourne!
On top of that, there are a handful of other car maintenance tips that you should bear in mind during the summer season. Here are five top car maintenance tips to make use of before you hit the road.
1) Inspect the tyres
This is always a good place to start when it comes to making sure that your car is roadworthy. Tyres lose and gain pressure daily depending on the temperature outside, so check your tyres’ pressure to make sure that they are not over- or under-inflated. Having the right tire pressure can help maximise your gas mileage, too.
Besides tire pressure, make sure to inspect your tyres for worn treads or any signs of extended wear and tear. Furthermore, ensure that your spare tire is properly inflated just in case you happen to need it!
2) Check the brakes
Think of how many times you hit the brakes during a normal drive, and that should give you an idea of just how important this part of your car is. The harsh conditions of colder weather could have left an impact on your brakes, so now is a good time to give them a once-over before you go off on a long road trip.
If you notice any squealing sounds coming from the brakes while you are driving, or think that your brakes do not have the stopping power that they once had, you can turn to a mechanic for a quick inspection.
3) Change your oil and oil filter
Your car engine relies heavily on engine oil in order to do its job. Engine oil has several functions, including acting as a coolant and lubricant. Having low levels of engine oil or engine oil that is too dirty can see you ending up at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.
Meanwhile, the oil filter is meant to keep your engine oil well-filtered of dirt, debris, and even metal fragments. To ensure that the oil filter does what it should, keep it clean and get it replaced if necessary.
4) Top off all necessary fluids
The engine oil is not the only fluid that your car relies on. Your car needs the right levels of transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and even windshield wiper fluid – so make sure to check them all this summer! Coolant in particular is one fluid that will be extra vital during the heat of summer.
The reason why it is particularly important to check on your fluid levels during the hottest season is because changes in the weather affect how quickly these fluid levels are depleted. At higher temperatures, you can expect fluids to evaporate more quickly.
5) Check on the car battery
It is always good to check on your car battery, especially if it is near the end of its lifespan. However, there are several factors that may make checking your car battery even more vital during summer. For instance, the higher heat can accelerate fluid loss as well as the oxidation of various battery components. If you have doubts about your car battery performance, you can always make a visit to a workshop to have it checked out.
Take note of these car maintenance tips above for optimum road safety – and do not forget to get your car looking flawless and brand-new for that summer road trip too. If you are looking for the perfect auto body shop to take care of any smash repairs or car paint troubles, then Brighton Panel Works is your solution. For prestige vehicle repair services, you can get in touch with us today.