4 Reasons To Get A Summer Health Check
When summer comes around we're all encouraged to get beach body ready, which basically means eating properly and exercising because most of us plan to be wearing as few clothes as possible to enjoy the sun and get an even tan without random strips on non-tanned skin, and the same thought process should be applied to your car.
Obviously we don't mean getting your car down to the gym and putting recycled vegetable oil in it instead of petrol or diesel, but it needs to be prepared for hot weather which increases the temperature of the road surface and the interior of your car.
To help your car perform as well as it can and to keep you safe on the road, you can give it a summer health check. If you need more convincing, here are four excellent reasons to book one today:
1. ENSURES YOUR AIR CONDITIONING IS WORKING
Let's face it, we don't really get much of a chance to use our air conditioning in the UK, so when we do, it needs to be working properly. Every year, your air con loses charge and air vents can get built up with bacteria and pollen. This leaves it working below its optimum capacity.
When you book your vehicle in for a summer health check, its air conditioning system performance will be checked. If it isn't working to its full capacity, the fault will be reported for further work to be scheduled in.
2. YOUR TYRES AND BATTERY ARE INSPECTED
​Checking your vehicle's air conditioning system is the main priority during a summer health check, but we also check key vehicle components including the battery and all four tyres.
When it comes to tyres, you always need to make sure that they are road legal, no matter what time of year it is which means they need to have at least 1.6mm of tread, although 3mm is advised.
With regards to summer, high temperatures alter tyre pressures and can aggravate existing tyre damage. This means it is important to keep an eye on your tyre pressures to ensure that they are not under- or over-inflated, which can impact steering and braking. As part of a summer health check, our technicians will always examine your tyre pressure and ensure that they are road legal.
Although batteries are traditionally more of a concern during winter, they are put under a lot of stress in the summer as well. Excessive heat can cause battery fluid to evaporate or overcharge the battery. As a result, you should regularly check the battery fluid level and top up with distilled water when necessary.​
3. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE TOPPED UP
There are a number of fluids that you need to keep an eye on, but they become especially important over summer when the temperatures are higher.
If your engine coolant drops below the minimum mark, you are in danger of having a costly over-heating breakdown. As long as there isn't a leak in this system, you shouldn't need to top up your engine coolant after your car has been in for its summer health check.
It is advisable to check all your fluid levels, including oil, regularly to avoid any serious damage. Around once a month is appropriate as well as routine checks before any long journey.
4. GUARANTEES VISIBILITY
It may sound silly, but making sure your windscreen wipers are working is a top priority over summer. Despite the lack of rain (hopefully), a dirty windscreen caused from tree sap or bird mess and glare from the sun can harm your visibility. As well having wiper blades that work effectively, you need to make sure that your windscreen wash is adequately topped up.
[TOP TIP] Always travel with sunglasses in the car. You never know when the sun is going to come out, especially in Britain, and sunglasses don't exactly take up a lot of space in your glovebox when it's dark and miserable outside.