Road trip ready: Summer car maintenance tips

We often fret about winter’s strain on our vehicles, but hot temperatures during the summer months can be just as demanding to deal with. If you’re planning a road trip abroad, long drives and extreme heat can up your chances of factors such as overheating - even just a small crack in windshield territory can be a massive inconvenience (not to mention cost you a fortune if you’re renting the car). However, you can slash your chances of any potential damage or breakdowns if you follow these handy summer car maintenance methods.

1. Check coolant levels

If your engine gets to hot, you could be in trouble. Checking your coolant levels are at the optimal level is crucial in summer - make sure they’re flushed periodically as your car manufacturer recommends. Inspect the overflow reservoir between flushes and top it with half water and half coolant if necessary. Watch out for leaks around connection points, such as where the hose fits to the engine. When the engine is cool, feel the hoses now and then to double-check they’re firm.

2. Top up your tires

Under-inflated tires can cause them to overheat, potentially leading to blowout. This is more common in summer weather when temperatures are higher. Your tires lose around one pound of pressure through day-to-day seepage, so it’s best to conduct monthly checks (when your tires are cold). 

3. Keep things comfortable and visible

The summer heat can make cars clammy and increase tiredness behind the wheel. Make sure your vehicle’s air conditioning is at optimum level, with maximum airflow throughout the warmer months. It’s just as important that your view behind the wheel is as clear as the airflow. Always inspect wiper blades for signs of splitting and make sure your windscreen washer fluid levels are topped up if driving in warm countries - dusty tracks in the summer heat lead to dirty windscreens and impaired vision.

4. Be prepared for summer-based breakdowns

Prevention doesn’t always save the day - sometimes breakdowns are inevitable. Always stock an emergency kit in your vehicle just in case: think water, non-perishable food such as beans and cereal bars, jumper cables, a torch with spare batteries, road flares, basic tools and a first aid kit.

5. Don’t leave any small crack in windshield areas 

Due to different terrains on driving holidays, it’s common for bits of gravel or debris to scoop up from the road. Annoyingly, that can often result in a front glass crack. It’s better to get this done sooner rather than later to prevent the crack getting worse. A quick search for ‘car window crack repair near me’ will bring up a list of services in your area. 

If you’re in the UK, you’re certain to find an Optic-Kleer nearby: we have talented operators in over 300 locations who can fix a small crack in windshield areas in as little as 20 minutes. Since most of our work is carried out in supermarket car parks, you can even get your shopping done while we fix that small crack in windshield problem.