“Siri: Hi, today’s temperature is 45oC. Please take care of yourself and your car!” If only Siri said this!
The UAE is experiencing yet another hot summer. This weather, however, affects not just us but also our dear cars. It’s about time to care for your car just like you care for yourself.
But how should it be done?
Well, we’ve got some easy-to-do tips to care for your car in summer. With these hacks, you can drive around in your car without getting it affected by the heat.
But before moving onto the tips —
First Things First, What All Gets Affected in Your Car During Summer?
Summer affects some crucial components of your car. The list includes —
Engine — Summer immensely affects the cooling system of your car if it works overtime. If the car is not maintained properly, such components can lead to overheating of the car. This can slowly damage the engine.
Car Oil — Your car’s oil slowly starts to become thinner when it heats up. This means that the car’s engine is not getting enough protection benefits from the car oil.
Tyre — Your car’s tyres can wear and require faster replacements during this season. This happens mainly because the air inside the tyres gets hotter. With that clear, let’s move onto our summer car maintenance tips.
Top 10 Car Care Tips for Summer in UAE: Your Top Hacks
Here are some of the top car maintenance tips for summer just curated for you —
Tip 1: Get the Air Conditioning Tested
This is the first and perhaps the most important summer car care hack. If you get hot air when you turn on the air conditioning system, a refrigerant might be required to boost the AC’s performance. For further assistance, reach out to a car mechanic to diagnose and solve the problem.
An old filter, as you may expect, can also cause issues with your air conditioning system. One simple summer car maintenance to keep things running smoothly is to change your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles (or as your manufacturer suggests) to keep the pollutants away from the car.
Tip 2: Keep a Check on the Engine
As we saw earlier, car fluids tend to become thinner (or even evaporate) when the temperature rises. To avoid this, it’s important to follow this summer vehicle maintenance tip and top off your transmission fluids, coolants, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid.
To check the coolant level in particular, here’s what you can do —
Open the car’s hood.
Find the coolant reservoir and undo its cap.
Check the indicator lines to figure out the coolant level.
If the indicator lines show that the coolant level is low, add the right amount of coolant to the reservoir.
Close off the cap.
If you find it difficult to top off the car fluids, take the safe route and contact the nearest mechanic for assistance.
Tip 3: Change the Car Oil and Filter
To keep your car usable this summer, changing the car oil and filter is one of the simplest summer car maintenance tips. Here’s an interesting hack — change your car’s oil every 5,000 miles or as per the car manufacturer’s oil maintenance guidelines. Another thing to ensure is to keep the engine cool. The simplest car care tip for summer in such cases is to pull over and wait for the engine to cool down. Once done, contact a mechanic immediately to fix the issue
Tip 4: Get the Brake Tested
Make sure you get the car brake tested during the summer to improve the car’s performance. To know that it is time to get the brake repaired, look for things like the car squealing or growling sounds when you press the brake pedal. If you notice any of such sounds, get your car tested soon.
Tip 5: Park the Car in the Shade
This is another straightforward car care tip for summer. On hot days, park your car in the shade to keep it cool and extend its lifespan. If shade isn't available, use window shades to block UV heat — this keeps the car's interior cooler and protects it from sun damage.
Tip 6: Rotate Tyres to Keep Them at the Top of Their Performance
You can extend your tyres’ lifespan by rotating them regularly. Since tyres wear out at different rates, rotating them ensures even wear. Experts suggest doing this every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Tip 7: Replace Windshield Wipers
Maintaining clear visibility is crucial when driving. In summer, dust, pollen, and sun glare can reduce visibility through your windshield. Check your windshield wipers regularly to ensure they can clear away anything that might obstruct your view. Replace them at the end of each season if needed.Also, make sure pollen and other particles aren't blocking your headlights. If your headlights are dim or weak, replace them right away to ensure you can see clearly at night.
Tip 8: Keep Your Car Clean
Keeping your car clean, both inside and out, is good for its looks, smart for your wallet, and, well, an important summer car care tip! Hot temperatures can damage the interior if food or rubbish is left inside. This leads to expensive repairs that you can avoid with simple cleaning. In fact, a clean exterior also protects the paint from sun damage and harm from birds or insects.
Tip 9: Clean and Replace Air Filters
Your car’s air filters are crucial, especially in the summer, as they block pollutants and pollen from entering through the vents. An old filter, as you may expect, can also cause issues with your air conditioning system. One simple summer car maintenance to keep things running smoothly is to change your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles (or as your manufacturer suggests).
Tip 10: Keep Your Car Clean
Keeping your car clean, both inside and out, is good for its looks, smart for your wallet, and, well, an important summer car care tip! Hot temperatures can damage the interior if food or rubbish is left inside. This leads to expensive repairs that you can avoid with simple cleaning. In fact, a clean exterior also protects the paint from sun damage and harm from birds or insects.
Summer heat can significantly impact your car, affecting key components like the engine, oil, and tyres. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your car running smoothly and avoid damage. To prepare your car for summer, follow a few simple summer car care tips. Start by testing your air conditioning and topping off essential fluids like coolant and transmission fluid. Change the oil and filter, get the brakes checked, and park in the shade to prevent heat damage. Regularly rotate your tyres, replace windshield wipers, and clean or replace air filters to maintain visibility and efficiency. Finally, keeping your car clean inside and out will also protect it from heat-related wear and tear.
While it’s good to follow all these tips to protect your car in summer, you should still be prepared for scenarios such as car breakdowns. For such cases, your best bet would be comprehensive car insurance. With such a plan, you can get benefits like roadside assistance — this can come in handy in getting your car to the nearest garage or agency for repairs.