Your Essential Summer Car Tips
Driving in the summer can be sticky, sweaty and downright uncomfortable. Summer traffic jams can be frustrating and bored children in the back can make journeys difficult for everyone. To help make sure you are ready for any summer journey, then follow these essential summer car tips.
Four top summer car tips
1. Steering wheel too hot to handle?
Make sure your steering wheel is touchable during summer by turning the wheel 180 degrees when your park up. This will mean the side you mainly touch when steering is out of direct sun and hopefully hidden in the shade.
2. Air-Con broken?
If your air conditioning system isn’t working, you can help to keep your car cool by using solar-powered car fan. These work by expelling hot air out of the car and helping to improve air circulation in the vehicle. These small devices fit on an open window and help to make your car much more comfortable.
If your car needs an initial boost to cool it down, then put the air on full blast and roll all of the windows down. This will help to force the hot air out and get your car down to the same temperature as outside.
3. Neglected tyres?
In general, tyre blowouts occur mainly in summer months. You can help to protect your car from a tyre blowout by making sure you conduct regular tyre maintenance. Firstly, check tyre tread regularly, use a 20p coin, and if you can see any part of the outer band, your tyre tread is too low.
You should also check the tyre pressure too; underinflated tyres are more likely to suffer. On the other hand, overinflated tyres may hydroplane when the road is wet.
4. Engine overheating?
With air-conditioning working overtime and hot temperatures outside can mean your engine overheats. Symptoms of an overheated engine include; warning lights, steam billowing and a temperature gauge rising. If this happens, pull over safely and wait for 30 minutes. Then, carefully open the hood and check for low coolant levels. Top up levels if they are low.
If the coolant is completely empty, this may be a sign of a leak which will need the attention of a mechanic.