It is that time of year we all look forward to, summer! Every car owner enjoys driving in the summer sun and listening to our favourite music, but have you ever thought about the damage your car can sustain during hot weather? Having worked and specialised in car body repairs for several years, our Fleetcare Accident Repair Centre team has seen many issues due to the warm weather.
This guide will give you our top tips on protecting your car during the summer months… If you have read our guide, have any further questions or queries, or find yourself needing car body repairs, please feel free to reach out to our team today. We are always happy to help our clients at our car body shop in Nottingham.
Give Your Car A Thorough Cleaning
One of the best ways to protect your car during the summer is to give it a good, thorough clean. This means taking the time to remove any dirt and debris that might have built up over the winter; ideally, you will have kept on top of your car during the winter, but an intense clean at the start of summer will help keep the exterior and interior of your car looking fresh and new.
For example, if you have any dirt built, it can cause problems with rust and damage to any exterior parts of your vehicle, we can help fix these problems, but we would much prefer if your car is safe and secure through self-care options where possible. Keeping your car’s interior clean is essential to keep your furnishings safe and damage-free.
Check Your Tyres
One of the essential parts of your car is the tyres; they provide you will find stability and grip when you are out on the roads, keeping you and anyone else in the car safe. With the summer sun’s heat glaring down on the roads all day, it can cause your tyres to deteriorate and become damaged over time, providing a risk of bursting.
One of the easiest ways to prevent this issue is by carrying out regular tyre checks; we mean checking your tyres’ pressure, tread, and walls. Keeping an eye on these parts of your tyres will help give you early warning signs should your tyres start to fail. 
Check Your Car Battery
The summer heat can also have a detrimental effect on your car battery, causing it to overheat and, in some cases, catch fire. This is why you must keep an eye on the health of your battery and make sure that it’s not showing any signs of wear and tear.
A good way of doing this is by regularly starting your car, letting it run for a few minutes, and taking it out for short drives to ensure that the battery stays active. If you do notice any issues with your battery, then take it to a professional as soon as possible to get it sorted.
Please do not drive your car if you think the battery has been damaged; it is unsafe.
Following On, Keep Your Engine Cool
Your engine is the central part of your car that can be easily damaged during the summer months. When the weather is hot, the engine works harder than usual to keep the car cool, which can lead to it overheating; this is more so the case if you have the air conditioning on all the time, making the engine work harder.
If you notice that your engine is running hotter than usual, pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible. Let it cool down for a few minutes before checking the oil level – if it’s low, top it up and continue your journey. If you need to top up your oil levels, do so carefully. Or visit a professional.
It’s also worth getting your cooling system checked by a professional before the summer hits, as they will be able to spot any issues that could cause problems further down the line.
Protect The Paint On Your Car This Summer
The paintwork is one of the most noticeable parts of your car and the first place that the summer sun will hit. We all like to keep our cars looking fresh and new; the summer sun sadly can make this difficult!
To keep your car’s paint in tip-top condition during the summer months, you should:
- Wash it regularly – at least once a week. Opt for a jet wash rather than doing it by hand, as this will remove any loose dirt and grit that could scratch the paintwork when you dry it.
- Use a good quality shampoo – one that’s designed for cars. You should also make sure that you use a separate sponge or cloth to wash the bodywork and wheels, as this will help avoid scratches.
- Always make sure you wax the vehicle; this will create a barrier to stop any dirt and dust from reaching the paintwork after a wash.
Be careful when parking in the sun – if you can, try and find a shady spot. If you have to park in direct sunlight, use a sunshade on the windscreen and windows to help keep the interior cool. If you find the paintwork on your vehicle not up to scratch, reach out to our team at Fleetcare Accident Repair Centre, we will be more than happy to respray your car for you.
Get In Touch For Body Work Services
At Fleetcare, we provide an excellent and professional car bodywork service. We use the latest technology and equipment to repair your vehicle back to its original condition.
If you would like to find out more about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact a team member today who will be more than happy to assist you further.
We hope these top tips helped help you understand how to protect your car during the summer months. If you have any questions or would like to book one of our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. Fleetcare Accident Repair Centre is always on hand to provide you with the highest quality services in Nottingham and the surrounding areas.
