Summer is here and it’s the time when you load up the car and take a long trip. In extreme heat, your car needs as much care as you do. Did you know call-outs for overheating engines almost double between November and February? Here are some simple ways to keep your car (and you) safe in a heatwave.
Keep the fluids up
The best way to stop your car from overheating is to keep up the fluids. This means checking the levels of motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. Meanwhile, car coolant does as it sounds and, at recommended levels, prevents engines from overheating.
For all fluid checks, make sure your engine is completely cool first.
Watch tyre pressure
Your tyres are always important, but tyre pressure increases as the temperature rises in summer. This can overinflate your tyres, which not only wears them out but makes it harder to brake easily. Underinflated tyres are just as dangerous, especially when combined with hot roads in a heatwave, as this can create a blowout.
Check tyre pressure regularly at your local servo and remember to check the spare tyre too.
Check your battery
High temperatures and sustained use of air conditioning put more load on your car battery. Your battery works best when the chemicals in it are in balance. It needs to be in good working order for a long trip, with no corrosion or dirt build-up and a recommended fluid level.
If in doubt, you might want to see a technician to check the battery.
Park in the shade
Did you know that interior surfaces of a car exposed to direct sunlight can record temperatures of 90 degrees? Nobody wants to sit in a hot car for more than a minute or two. For your comfort and the safety of your car, take a few preventative measures when you park in a heatwave:
- Park your car in a shady spot.
- Use a windscreen sunshade.
- Cover your steering wheel with a spare tea towel.
- Cover your seats and especially quick-to-heat-up seat buckles.
- Leave all the windows open when you first start your journey.
- Close the windows and turn on the aircon once all the heat is out of the car.
These 4 ways help keep your car safe in a heatwave. They also reduce your discomfort or even a road accident. Make sure your car has a current green slip.
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