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Preparing for summer
While your car's air conditioner will keep you cool, there are other systems and components you should check before a long summer's drive to keep your car road trip ready.
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Published
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Cooling system
One of the problems with country driving is that the radiator core gets blocked up with dead insects and debris. At least every one to two years, service your cooling system by flushing out the coolant and replacing it. Your vehicle handbook will give recommended intervals.
When servicing, always use the coolant recommended by the manufacturer. Take care to never mix coolants as this can cause corrosion, which leads to overheating and premature engine failure.
Check the hoses for softness and leaks. Check the radiator cap for deterioration and any other signs of component corrosion.
RELATED:Regassing and maintaining your car air conditioner »
Drive belts
Check all drive belts for cracking and deterioration (for example: fan, water pump, power steering, air conditioning).
Battery
Check your battery as the weather heats up. Just driving your car regularly is not always enough to keep your battery fully charged (especially after a flat battery). Consider recharging your battery especially if your car has been stationary for an extended period.
As dirt and dampness can damage your battery case, ensure its case and terminals are checked and cleaned regularly.
Tyres
Check your tyrepressures when cold (for example, travelled less than 3km), as under-inflation or over-inflation can cause excessive tyre wear and affect the steering of the vehicle.
The manufacturer’s handbook can tell you the recommended tyre pressure. This information can also be found on the tyre placard sticker usually found inside the driver’s or passenger door or within the fuel filler cap area.
Examine the tyres for wear and deterioration of the sidewalls. Uneven wear may indicate a steering alignment problem and should be checked to determine the cause.
General tips
Keep your car clean, especially the windows and lights.
Glare from the sun can cause poor visibility, so use a good-quality glass cleaner on the windows.
Check the wiper blades and replace if necessary; worn blades will smear the windscreen.
Check the operation of all lights and clean the lenses.
Use sunshades when parked to protect the interior of your car and minimise heat build-up.
Have the air conditioner serviced and ready for hot weather. Air conditioner components can deteriorate due to lack of use, especially rubber seals and O-rings. Run the air conditioner once a week during the winter months to prevent the seals drying out.
Do all the normal fluid level checks: oil, transmission fluid, washer fluid, power steering, brake fluid and clutch fluid if applicable.
Last updated October 2019
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