Different seasons bring different challenges for your vehicle. By adhering to some simple and effective car care tips, you can make sure that your vehicle stays in top condition throughout the year. Here’s a handy guide to seasonal car care tips for UK roads, designed to keep your vehicle healthy and performing well in all types of weather.
Spring Cleaning
During spring, the damp, wet roads cause a lot of mud and grime to accumulate on your car’s exterior and tyres. Regular cleaning helps protect the paintwork and prevent corrosion. Interior cleaning is equally important. Accumulation of waste can lead to mould during warm weather and even act as a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s very important to keep on top of this, as regular cleaning can help you to easily sell a car and attract a higher price tag when you do so.
Summer Checks
Despite the reputation of UK summers for being a bit…welll…rubbish, some years can surprise with heatwaves. High temperatures can affect your car’s battery, tyres and fluid levels. It’s advisable to test your battery, check tyre pressure frequently and ensure that all fluids, including engine oil, brake fluid and coolant, are at appropriate levels. Ideally, your air conditioning should also be functioning effectively; a service may be necessary if it’s not as refreshing as you’d like.
Autumn Preparation
Autumn arrives with damp leaves on roads, rain showers and chilly winds. A practical family car should be able to handle all of this with ease, but it’s worth giving your car a fighting chance with some good seasonal care nonetheless. Make sure that your tyres have good treads to maintain grip in slippery conditions. This is also a good time to get your heaters and demisters assessed. Check that your lights are functioning adequately, as daylight hours begin to reduce. Keep the internal and external mirrors clean for optimum visibility.
Winter Care
Finally, winter brings the most challenging conditions for UK drivers, with frost, ice and possibly snow. You should use a good quality anti-freeze in your radiator. Snow chains or winter tyres can increase traction on snowy or icy roads. Keep an emergency kit in your car, including a scraper for ice on your windscreen, a shovel and some grit. Make sure that the battery is in good working order; cold weather can exacerbate any existing weaknesses.
Forever Alert
Regardless of the season, some care tips are important year-round. Regular servicing of your car not only helps extend its lifespan but also reduces the occurrence of sudden breakdowns. Essential checks include oil levels, tyre pressure and condition, functionality of lights, wiper blades and fluid, brakes and exhaust system.
Safety First
Lastly, remember that precautionary measures are always better than facing car problems. Always ensure that you and your passengers wear seat belts. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, especially during poor weather conditions. Keep your vehicle well-maintained and always stay alert on the roads, whatever the season.
