How to protect your car from summer damage
We’re all excited and ready for summer but our cars need to be just as prepared as we are if we want to make the most of a chilled and fun summer driving experience.
Also read: Don’t give in to holiday road rage!
The good news is that it doesn’t take much to get your car in tip-top shape for summer and Ford South Africa has provided the following tips:
The Essentials
- Tyres – summer driving can take its toll on your tyres. Scorching hot roads and driving your car in the sun for hours can cause the air in tyres to expand and contract a lot more than during winter. This is why more tyre wear happens during the hot months. Also get your tyre pressure checked regularly (once a week and in the morning) and make a habit of checking your tyres for damage such as cuts or embedded nails. When the air inside your tyres expands due to heat, any weak points can cause a dangerous blowout.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has a team of certified professionals who train drivers around the country as part of its Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) South Africa, responsible-driving programme. Training Director, Derek Kirby advises that you should check your spare wheel and make sure you don’t overload your vehicle because those too can create excessive heat inside your tyres.
- Window Seals – remember to check your window seals for cracks and breaks. These thin rubber strips can be damaged in severe heat, and if there are plenty of cracks and breaks it means your air-con will have to work harder to cool down the car.
- Liquids and Gas – it’s a good idea to check all liquids regularly, but in summer you should try to check your car’s water, air-con gas and coolant at least once a month. Not only will this keep your car running smoothly, but the last thing you need whilst driving through the hot Karoo is for the air-conditioner to stop working. Some batteries still need to have their battery water levels checked manually – so find out if this is necessary on your car.
- Windscreen – If you have any small chips or cracks in your windscreen now is the time to get them taken care of. Baking in the summer heat can cause the glass to expand or contract and result in these chips or cracks expanding, safer to get them fixed as soon as possible.
- Pre-Holiday Checks – if you’re planning a summer road-trip, the best advice is to have a full pre-holiday check done at your nearest Ford dealership. That way you can be sure your vehicle has received some much-needed attention before setting off on that well-deserved break.
The Accessories
- Cool Shades – Your car deserves a pair of trendy summer shades just as much as you do! Even though your Ford’s dashboard is manufactured to withstand extreme temperatures and extended sun exposure, in order to further protect your dashboard from the African sun it’s best to keep a dashboard cover on hand. If your car regularly stands out in the sun, such as at the office, a dashboard shade can only help.
- Summer Sarong – We all know that too much sun harms your skin, and the same can be said for your car’s paint. Even though your Ford’s paint is manufactured to withstand extreme temperatures and extended sun exposure, you still want to make sure you take care of your four-wheeled family member. Keeping a car cover on hand during summer is the best way to protect your vehicle’s paint from the sun, as well as bird droppings and even certain tree sap / seeds that can cause damage. If your car is regularly parked outside, especially if it’s under a tree, a car cover is suggested.
The Stash
To make the most of your summer driving, whether it’s your daily commute or a leisurely holiday drive, there are a few things you should always have on-hand:
- Sunblock – Keep a small bottle of sunblock in your car during summer. Make a habit of spraying your hands and arms whenever you drive. Your hands, especially, are exposed to the sun while you’re driving. Even if you are only doing short trips it adds up, so keep a travel-sized sunblock in your car to avoid awkward hand tans, not to mention skin damage.
- Spare Sunglasses – Always keep a spare set of sunglasses in your car. Before you throw out your outdated shades from last summer, grab one or two and stow in your car. They don’t have to be the most expensive, but make sure you always have sunglasses with UV protection on hand. Many people leave for work before the sun is up and often forget their sunglasses – and there’s nothing worse than squinting into the sun whilst sitting in traffic after a headache-inducing day at the office.
- A summer scarf – A breezy summer scarf can have many in-car uses during summer. You can throw it over your seat or steering wheel if you’re just quickly running into the shops and don’t want to unfold your dashboard cover. It can also be used as a makeshift curtain if you’re sitting in traffic and the sun is shining directly onto a sleepy child.
- Soda Water – According to Derek Kirby at DSFL, it’s a good idea to always keep a two-litre bottle of soda water in your car as it can be used as a fire extinguisher, to top up your car’s water level and to drink to keep yourself hydrated. The reason soda water works well is that if you shake the bottle it will spray thanks to its fizz and act as a makeshift fire extinguisher. Bet you didn’t know that!
- Keep it clean – Make sure your summer stash and accessories stay organized with this amazing boot organizer. It’s like a handbag for your car!
Summer is the season of fun and adventures, so make sure your car is summer-ready and have a safe and pleasant break!