Seasonal Car Care: Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter/Summer
Importance of Seasonal Car Care
If you are a car owner, you must know that the maintenance of the car also changes with every season. I have learned from my personal experience that if you take care of your car according to every season, not only its performance improves, but its life also increases. The requirements of the car are different in every season, so it is important that we take proper care of it. Today I am going to tell you how you can prepare your car in the best way for both winter and summer seasons. I have learned a lot from regular maintenance and servicing of my car and these tips will also help you so that your car performs better in every season.
Preparing Your Car for Winter
With the onset of winter, road conditions change drastically. Snow, fog and ice can make driving difficult, and if your car is not properly prepared, problems can increase. First of all, you should get your battery checked because the battery is under the most stress during winter. If the battery is old, it can also fail in extreme cold. Therefore, get your car’s battery checked before the winter arrives and ensure that it is fully charged and healthy. Along with this, maintaining the level of antifreeze is also very important as it prevents the engine from freezing. If its level is low or old, the engine can freeze. I made this mistake once and the result was that my car was not starting. So, keep the coolant mixture in 50-50 ratio (50% water and 50% antifreeze) so that the engine works smoothly. Winter tyres are also an important factor which give you better grip on slippery roads. Regular tyres become hard in cold weather which reduces the grip. If you live in a snowy place, snow chains are also a good option which will improve both your driving and safety.
Visibility and Safety in Winter
In winter, fog and snow can get stuck on the windshield, so use a good wiper fluid which does not freeze. I have personally experienced that if your wiper is not working properly or the wiper fluid has frozen, then driving can be very dangerous. Also, if the wiper blades are old, then get new ones so that visibility remains clear. Another important thing that you should keep in mind is the emergency kit. I always keep an emergency kit in my car, which contains a torch, extra battery, blankets, gloves, snow scraper, and some food and water. These small things are very useful if you get stuck somewhere. If you ever get stuck in an emergency, it can be very useful and will prepare you for any unexpected situation.
Preparing Your Car for Summer
Summer season also comes with its own challenges and it is equally important to take care of the car during this time too. Extreme heat can have an impact on the engine and different parts of the car. I have observed that if you get the maintenance done on time, the car runs smoothly and there is no issue of overheating. The biggest problem during summers is engine overheating, so it is important to get the radiator and coolant system checked properly. Ensure that the coolant level is correct and the radiator fan is also working properly so that the engine is saved from overheating. Along with this, it is also very important to take care of the AC system. Driving a car without AC during summers can be quite troublesome, and if the AC is not cooling properly, then getting the gas recharged or getting the filters cleaned is the best solution. I once started the summer without AC service and the result was that it became difficult to drive in the sun.
Tire and Fluid Maintenance in Summer
Tire pressure fluctuates in summer, which is not good for safety. Overheated tyres can also burst which can become a very big problem. So, it is important to get the tyre pressure checked every two weeks. Also, use a sunshade to protect the interior of the car from extreme heat. This protects the dashboard and seats from getting damaged. I have bought a good sunshade for my car which blocks direct sunlight and keeps the interior cool. Fluids are another important thing that you should keep in mind. Engine oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid can also evaporate if the heat is too much, so always keep checking the fluid levels and top-up whenever needed so that your car runs smoothly.
Protecting Car Exterior in Summer
Dust and UV rays can fade the paint of the car in summer, so regular car wash and waxing is necessary so that the paint remains shiny and there is no effect of sunlight. I have seen that people who do not take care of the paint protection of their car, their car becomes dull very quickly.