Summer car tyre maintenance and care tips

On the hot roads in the summer, it’s crucial to ensure your car is ready to handle the heat before you hit the highway. Tyre maintenance is one of summer car care's most overlooked yet essential aspects. Your tyres are your vehicle’s lifeline, so contact an expert Mechanic for maintenance; here are some easy-to-follow tips to keep them rolling smoothly all summer.

1. PROTECT THE CAR EXTERIOR:

• The obvious but important thing is to avoid parking your car in the sun for too long. Take that extra effort to find a cool, shady place to park your car as much as possible. Use a sun-shield to help maintain a cooler temperature inside the car.

• If your car is parked for too long in the open, kindly cover it with a car body cover to prevent it from all the dust and grime.

• Regular Dry Wash & Wax Polish every six months will protect the paint and shine of your car.

• Teflon Coating adds that extra layer of protection for the long term.

2. CHECK THE TYRES:

Tyres tend to overheat during summer as road temperatures are extremely hot. If the tyres are not inflated, it can cause further overheating and danger of tyre blowout.

• Check that there is enough tread on the tyres. Kindly replace them at the beginning of the summer season if the tread of the tyres are worn out or if you see signs of balding

• Keep the tyres inflated to the recommended levels and maintain the correct tyre pressure, including the spare tyre. It helps in saving fuel as well

• Ensure to get your wheels aligned before taking any trips

3. CHECK UNDER THE HOOD:

There are many important components under the hood, like car batteries, essential fluids from oil to coolant, air filters and various hoses & pipes. If any of these do not function properly, it can lead to overheating and, eventually, car breakdown.

• Regular Servicing of your car is the most crucial part of making your car summer-ready.

• Car Batteries take a lot of load during summer due to the constant use of air conditioners. It tends to overcharge due to the heat. Check the battery terminals for corrosion, check for cracked or loose wires to avoid battery draining, check and keep the area around the battery clean and check the distilled water level in the battery.

• Car Essential Fluids lubricate and serve as coolants that carry the heat away from the car's vital parts.

Include:  

1) Engine Oil: the viscosity & level are 2 factors to be examined when checking the Engine Oil. It is the second most important fluid in the car; it should be replaced regularly to keep the engine lubricated and healthy. 

2) Car Coolant: staying cool is very important for the car engine. Check the radiator for coolant levels, top it up if required and ensure the pipes carrying it are not leaking. If the coolant looks sludgy or oily, kindly replace it with an authorised service centre. Caution – Do not open the radiator cap while it’s hot.

 3) Check all other Essential Fluids: Brake oil, transmission, power steering and Windshield water fluid for quality and quantity and top them to the recommended levels to avoid engine wear & tear and overheating during the hot summer climate.

• In a fluid filter, the belt runs between the alternator and the fan and needs to be in good condition.

• The Air Filter should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced to avoid the smooth functioning of a blower and ensure clean and cool air inside the car.

4. SERVICE THE AIR-CONDITIONER:

Due to the excess heat and more use during summer, there is a heavy load on the car air-conditioning system. Lack of proper air conditioning in a car can cause discomfort to the car and the passengers.

• Car AC is essential for summer; regular servicing from an authorised car dealership or Renault specialist is essential.

• Get any issues and leaks in Car AC pipes, ducts and vents checked, cleaned & fixed to avoid losing AC Gas

• Get the car AC gas topped up to the recommended levels

• Get the cooling coil washed and cleaned for cleaner air

• Do not start the car with the AC turned ON. Start the AC only after starting the car and ensure windows are rolled down for a while to let the hot air and any carcinogenic fumes out before inhaling them.

5. MAINTAIN CLEAN CAR INTERIOR:

The hot, sunny temperature does not spare the car interior either. It makes the interiors very hot, and it is hard even to touch if parked under the sun for some time, especially if the interiors are black. The leather upholstery adds a stench, making the cabin reek of a hot, foul odour, causing difficulty in breathing.

• Keep the car interiors clean by doing deep Interior cleaning at regular intervals.

• Ensure no dust deposits on the dashboard and AC vents to breathe cleaner air.

• Use sunshades to protect the car interiors from excess sun heat. A dashboard sunshade can prevent fading over time and keep the cabin cooler.

• Before starting the car, open the doors and let the interior cool down if parked under the sun.

6. STAY PREPARED TO HANDLE CAR BREAKDOWN:

Last but not least, as a preventive measure, it is crucial always to stay ready in case your car breaks down in the scorching hot summer.

• Ensure that an emergency kit with all the required tools is always available in the car.

• Check that the spare tyre is in good condition and that the necessary tools to change the tyre are available.

• Emergency supplies, like an extra bottle of water, coolant, phone charger, flashlight, emergency sign, etc., should be loaded in the car before going on any trip or long drive.

• Ensure that the entire set of relevant documents is in the car.

• A medical or first-aid kit should be handy for handling any medical emergency.

• Keep the driver and the passengers hydrated to avoid heat stroke.

Let the summer heat not stop you from going on a trip or enjoying vacations outdoors with your family. Follow the above-mentioned tips to keep your car roaring and revving every summer season.

For further guidance or assistance with service and repair, please visit at Renault Mechanics across Melbourne.