With the sun showering all its heat and the rising temperature as if we are on a volcanic eruption. This is the point where you just want to be inside the cold-set cabin of your car that keeps you away from the outside heat-wave. It is of great importance to keep a check on vehicle’s functioning to ensure that travel go easily without any hassle whether it’s a daily ride to your work station, family visit at the other end of town or a weekend getaway in the mountains. To make sure that not only just the cabin stays cool, but the engine bay as well, you need to get through a complete vital checklist and avoid possibilities of breakdown.

Air-conditioning system:

Scorching summer calls for a fully functional air conditioning. You don’t want tot get stuck with an air-con giving less or barely any flow while getting through a bumper to bumper traffic. It is better if you check whether the air is cool but not cold, temperature fluctuation with engine RPM, and if the air does not blow through vents powerful enough. Get connected to the nearest authorized workshop to check the troubleshoot and diagnose.

Check Battery:

Check the battery condition, as it is not winters season when you should worry about the battery, but hot weather when the battery fluid temperature tends to increase with the raising ambient temperature. Another point to consider is that the battery is properly mounted and does not vibrate while the vehicle is on move. Also check for the battery fluid level, as faster evaporation leads to corrosion on connections and terminals. Clean corrosion on the terminal as well as the clamps and ensure that the clamps are tight. Check the age of the battery as well, if older than three years, it is suggested to get it checked by an expert.

Coolant level:

Another important summer task is to check the quality and quantity of the coolant fluid in the engine. The key point here is that the engine cooling system of your car has to work overtime to keep it cool, especially when the air conditioning is working. Check for the coolant to be clean, bright and filled to the proper mark and if necessary top it up or else the best thing to have the system flushed once to get rid of blockage if any and then have a fresh one refilled.

Brakes and Brake oil:

Brake fading situation is an important point to remember that often happens during summers. This usually occurs after the extensive use your car, caused due to excessive heat. Check the brake oil level – if the level nominally low (2-3 mark down the full-line) then you can top up the oil, if required, but if it is too low, then it is best to check the brake pads and disc (do not top-up, if the pads are worn out and left with just 2mm of asbestos layer) and immediately get them replaced.

Tyre Pressure and Wear:

The most essential components are the tyres, as they are the point of contact between the hot road surface and the vehicle mechanics. The air expands during the summers and it is essential to keep a check on air pressures and tread depth, as over inflated tyres are more prone to blow out and less pressure leads to wear. During the summer it is suggested to use summer tires that have harder rubber compounds and can withstand hot tarmac which is better than the soft rubber tires used in winter. Another thing that can be used in this case is Nitrogen that helps avoid thermal expansion ensuring safety of all occupants.

Check Wiper and Washer:

Wipers and washer fluid don’t seem so important but at times they come out to be more useful than anything. Check the wiper condition by lifting the wipers and then check for the worn out or hardened wipers, if it is, then get it replaced.

Water Stocking:

Why we are asking to stock up some water! As you might be needed to add cool water in the coolant reservoir and wiper wash wipe and more importantly to keep yourself hydrated. Due to extreme heat, some level of water generally gets eaten up in the coolant reservoir and the easiest fix for this is simply adding water, enough to get you to the nearest workshop or destination point.

Be prepared for any breakdown:

It is not necessary that you have prepared your vehicle for almost every weather condition but it is always recommended to be prepared for any emergency situation. Prepare a nicely stocked emergency kit (water, packed food like chocolates and other non-perishable food products), flashlight with spare batteries, jumper cables, basic tools, and most importantly a first aid kit.

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