Summer guide for car maintenance

Top Tips on car maintenance in the Summer!

The time has come! We’re all starting to make plans for how to spend our days off in summer. Your mind will be filled with the important stuff like how much money you’re going to take, what you’re going to wear, and any other little bits you might need. There are so many things to think about during this busy period, but did you ever consider checking your car maintenance? Are there any problems with it? What does it need, is it going to keep you and your family safe on the road? If you haven’t thought about any of these things then don’t worry, here at One Stop Autos, we have! We have put together some top tips on how to look after your car in the summer, to ensure you have a stress-free adventure.

1. Tyres

Your tyres are an important part to car maintenance. They are what keep your car on the road. This is why it is crucial that they are in good condition. To ensure that they are, you should be inspecting them every two weeks. You need to ensure that your tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in a band around the central three-quarters of the tyre. While checking this, you may come across anything unusual in the tyres, for example, small bits of glass or nails. We also advise that you check the sidewall for any bulges. These can be a real danger as it could be a sign of structural failure.

2. Battery

One of the most common reasons people breakdown is due to problems with car batteries. Making sure your battery is working is very important, but knowing the warnings to look out for could be considered even more so. For example, one of the most obvious indications of a low battery is if a check engine light comes up on your car’s dashboard. Another sign would be if your car engine is struggling when you first turn it on. If you have any doubts, be sure to take it to your local garage – it’s better to be safe than sorry! Most garages will carry out a free battery test for you, so why risk it?

3. Air-conditioning

During the hot summer days, it’ll get very warm in your car. The last thing you want is for your air-conditioning to be faulty, or stop working. An air-con service should be run every two to three years and is essential as the gas used in air-con systems can leak out over time. You’ll want to make sure that your car’s air-conditioning has a good, consistent flow – especially for those long journeys!

4. Under the bonnet

What happens under the bonnet of your car is crucial and what keeps your car on the move. Make sure your car has enough coolant in it, the way to check this is to see if the level is sitting between the ‘MIN’ and ‘MAX’ markers on the bottle. Another important part to check is the car’s oil level, to check this, pull out the dipstick and make sure it’s sitting between the ‘MIN’ and ‘MAX’ markers on the stick. If you need more help or can’t locate any of these things, refer to your car’s manual.

These are just a few things that we recommend you check before you set off on a road trip. Your safety is our best interest, and it’ll allow you to relax on your holiday. Click here if you would like to find out more information, or book online today!