Summer Care Tips For Your Car

Summer Care Tips For Your Car  

Each season brings with it a number of different challenges; winter comes with colder weather and wetter roads, while summer blazes through with sizzling temperatures that can often making driving uncomfortable. Prepare yourself for the summer challenges ahead by taking note of these top car protection tips.

Check car battery

Pay a visit to your local car service centre to ensure every part of your car is in good nick and ready for the heat. Keep an eye out for your car battery, as its strength can decrease as temperatures get higher.

Outside temperatures exceeding 35 degrees celsius combined with the heat under the hood can also quicken the corrosion of car batteries.

Inspections and regular maintenance can really help you to get the most out of your battery so make sure to have a car service professional give it the once over before summer swings by.

Top up your coolant

Summer is an important time to regularly check your coolant is topped up - after all, you never know when your car will overheat! If you don't top up your coolant and allow your car to overheat, you risk vehicle damage that could cost you a pricey bill, with some moving metals melting together under the heat causing significant issues. 

Coolant should also be a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze during summer, but you don't have to worry too much about getting this ration exactly right with premixed coolant also available. 

Car awning

The summer heat can not only have an impact on the interior of your car, but also it's exterior, causing vehicles to peel and fade. Try to park in the shade as much as possible to prevent sun damage, going under trees, underground carparks and moving your vehicle into your garage.

If you don't have a garage, consider purchasing a car awning to provide coverage. Some varieties offer a silver-coated sunroof to reflect heat.

Car shades

It's also essential to take steps to protect the passengers in your car during summer, whether they be kids, adults or pets. Car shades can help provide cover from the sun's harmful rays, with these accessories particularly important for your little ones.

Some retailers sell specialised baby shades to reduce UV rays on your kids, while additional shades can also be purchased to cover your other passenger and rear windows. Think about also getting a shade for your windscreen to pop onto your car to protect your interior while you're out running errands.

Window Tints

If you want a more permanent sun protection option, you might want to think about getting your windows tinted. There are many specialists who can apply a tint to your car, which meet state regulations, and offer UV protection and glare reduction.

The Cancer Council Australia also offers an automotive window film with a UPF rating of 50+ which they say delivers "the highest protection available" against the sun's UV rays. The window film has patented technology that decreases your risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing.

It is available in both tinted (UV Shield) or clear (UV Clear) window film options with benefits including reduced glare, heat and fading of car interiors.

Condition leather interior

Does your car have a leather interior? Well then you're probably well aware of the damage heat and UV rays can have on your seats, drying out its fibres and causing the colour to fade.

A simple solution to this problem is to purchase seat covers! This will help to protect them from the sun's damaging rays, while also preventing hot, sticky seats. If you can't bear the thought of covering up your leather, then make sure to condition them regularly during summer.

This will help to loosen up stiff leather and prevent cracks and tears in your upholstery. A simple spray and wipe should help to keep your seats in tip top shape.