Summer motoring safety checks
MOTORISTS are well aware of possible car problems in winter due to cold weather but, according to a global vehicle battery brand, you run the risk of breakdowns during summer too if proper maintenance is not undertaken.
“It is just as important to protect your car against the summer heat as the winter cold,” Guido Brouwers of Charging Systems Africa, distributors of CTek, says.
A few simple steps will help to avert the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown. Here are eight basic tips to avoid summer breakdowns:
ý Oil: check the oil levels using the dipstick and top it up with the recommended type of oil if it’s too low. It might also be worth considering an oil change. Not changing the oil often enough can result in loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption.
ý Brakes: wet conditions mean braking and stopping more than usual and the wear and tear on your brakes reflect this. Brakes need to be checked to make sure they are working properly.
ý Tyres: just like brakes, tyres can take a real beating in regions where there are summer rains, so check your tread. The legal limit is 1.6mm but when it gets below 3mm you should start thinking about replacing them.
ý Battery: it’s easy to forget the battery during the summer because it doesn’t have to work as hard to get the vehicle started. But it’s worth remembering that there are still high power demands from modern vehicles. The drain from parasitic loads such as tracking devices, alarms, air conditioning, electric windows, sun roofs and so on mean that the battery is being put through its paces.
During summer there are different challenges, with excessive heat and overcharging shortening the life of a battery.
Test your battery periodically or invest in an intelligent battery charger – quick to connect and easy to use, it won’t ever damage your battery. Regular use of an intelligent battery charger can double your battery’s lifespan.
If your battery is the type that needs to be topped up, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary, keep the top of your battery clean and try to park in the shade.
ý Fluid levels: check the water (coolant) and other fluid levels. Cars that are not properly prepared for summer often overheat as soon as the temperature rises.
ý Shock absorbers: your shocks play a critical role in vehicle safety and can represent a significant safety risk if they are worn. Worn shocks greatly affect a car’s handling and potentially lead to longer braking distances, lateral drift and body roll in corners, and an increased risk of aquaplaning in wet weather. In general, you should have your shocks checked every 20 000km.
ý Screen wash: top up your screenwash to keep your windscreen clear. There’s nothing worse than not being able to see through your windscreen thanks to dead insects!
ý Air conditioning: have your mechanic check the fluid levels. If you ensure your levels don’t run out, you don’t have to do more than just basic maintenance on your unit.