...has become trending slogan these days. As we do everything that can be done to ensure our well-being and protection from sweltering temperatures outside – there is something we should focus on as well and that is the maintenance of one of the most essential mechanical contraptions every made – the car. In light of this, I mentioned below are roughly really important auto maintenance tips for every summer season.
Battery - Overheating of the battery can lead to a burst as well which is extremely dangerous for everybody travelling in the car. To prevent such an incident, regularly detach your battery from the cables thus allowing it cool down and get your batteries checked now and then for ensuring safety. In other words it should be in tip-top-toe condition.
Tires -There are few probabilities of your tires getting worn out soon with all the heat and driving during summers. If your tires are not able to perform correctly, then it increases the chances of accidents on the road, make sure you keep a check on the temperature and inflation of the tires or better go to the nearest tire shop for proper inspection. An over-inflated tire in a city drive alike makes extensive contact with the road, and an under-inflated tire leads to outward bulge and pressure on the tire walls which, in both cases can result in blasts of the tire. A proper temperature and tire inflation are what needs to be maintained. Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car.
Oil -is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every certain miles or kilometers. The fact is, most of us do a lot of heavy off road driving during the summer when an engine is more likely to overheat. So at least check your oil before you head out on that road trip. To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and shut off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You're looking for two things here: the level of oil and how the oil looks. If you're low on oil, you can either add or simply change the oil completely. The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.
Air Filter - Over the sand dunes bashing, your car's air filter can get clogged with sand /dust and other thick debris. A clogged air filter can really lower your fuel efficiency. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent (as per the statistic). But how do you know when to change your air filter? The recommended interval is every 12,000 miles, but that can be affected by the particular road and air conditions in which you drive. If you do a lot of driving on dirt or gravel roads, then your air filter is going to clog up much faster than an air filter in a vehicle that's used strictly for highway or city driving. The only real way to know if you need to replace your air filter is take it out and give it a quick inspection. This is because the debris in the filter becomes part of the filtering process, trapping smaller particles that might have otherwise slipped past. There’s no real science to knowing when it's time to replace the filter. If it's really grimy, then it obviously needs to be changed. Otherwise, go with your gut. If you're preparing for a long summer like here in Qatar of hard driving, then you might as well replace it. Air filters are relatively inexpensive.
Coolant and Radiator -Cars are designed to run hot, but there's a limit to how hot they should run. The summertime is tough on cooling systems. Sitting in trafficon a hot day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. This is because there's no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. A well-tuned cooling system can take long idles in hot weather, but if you have low coolant levels or a busted fan belt, your engine temperature is going to go up and fast. Luckily, all modern cars have an ingenious cooling systemthat uses a chemical coolant, called antifreeze, and a series of pumps, hoses, thermostats and fans to keep the car at its optimal running temperature. Rule of thumb - If you see a small puddle of coolant under your car when it's been parked for a while, then you have a coolant leak. Take it to the service station as soon as you can to get your system checked out… low coolant levels, cracked hoses, lose or broken belts, a leak in the radiator or even a loose or missing radiator cap can cause your car to overheat and break down.
Air Conditioning -The best way to tell if your air conditioner has a problem is if it can't generate or maintain air temperatures that are 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) below the ambient outside air temperature. The most common cause of a malfunctioning air conditioning unit is a low level of refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. Since modern air conditioning systems are complicated creatures, it's best to have a professional check out the problem. I suggest you get a qualified technician to inspect your car air conditioner before the onset of summer, that also if at all you're facing any problems as regards the functioning. Clean the air filter. A dirty air filter clogs up the airway and lessens the coolness of the car air conditioner. Check whether the air filter is still clean or if it needs cleaning. Take off the air filter. Clean the air filter using water and mild soap. When the air filter is very dirty, or if it has become damaged, replace the air filter with a new one.
Brakes - Your brakes are the single most important safety feature on your car. Don't put yourself or your family at risk this summer by riding around on worn down or faulty brakes. You can have your brake linings checked at any normal service shop or at a brake specialist. If you notice a brake problem, it pays to have it inspected or repaired as soon as possible. The cost of a brake repair can increase dramatically if even minor problems aren't fixed in a timely manner.
Here are some signs that your brakes need to be checked:
· Your brake pedal becomes very soft and mushy
· Your brake pedal is very hard and resistant
· Your brake pedal rests too low or too high
· Indication or warning lights on the dashboard
Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe is worn down past the minimum thickness specified by the car manufacturer.
ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT
Even if you faithfully follow the list of maintenance tips that I mentioned, some breakdowns are unavoidable. Do yourself a favor and save some room in your trunk for the following items. They could turn a potential trip-wrecker into nothing more than an unexpected pit stop:
· Screwdrivers and wrenches of various sizes
· Jumper cables
· A jack and tire iron
· Temporarily sealing and inflating a flat tire
· Water for both the radiator and yourself
· Emergency flares (during night on dessert) and reflectors
· Gloves
· Blanket and towel
· Flashlight
… to name few but not limited to.