Owning a car and relying on it day to day can all too easily be taken for granted. You expect it to provide an excellent service every day, starting on the button and running with smoothness and efficiency.
But when the weather begins to turn colder and the seasons start to change, your vehicle can struggle to cope with the more challenging conditions than those of the summer months.
So why not show your trusty vehicle some love by following some simple steps to make sure it’s prepared for the upcoming months.
Check the oil
This is the oldest piece of advice, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth following. If your oil is sludgy, or the level of oil is low, your car’s engine won’t run efficiently.
Make sure you top it up or drain and replace it as necessary, and you’ll reap the benefits throughout all seasons.
Check the tyres
Whether the weather is cold or wet, you can be certain of one thing in the coming months: the roads will be slippery. Make sure you’ve got a good amount of tread on your tyres to keep you on the straight and narrow.
Top up washer fluid
Keep your washer jets charged with proper screen wash that won’t freeze when the temperature plummets.
Refill the radiator
Whatever the season, it is vital to keep your car’s radiator topped up. In winter, it is especially important to use antifreeze, because it will stop the liquid in the cooling system from turning to ice.
Keep some ready-mixed coolant in your boot, and you can refill the system whenever the need arises.
Clear out the interior
Winter is especially unkind to the interior of your car and the damage can become ingrained without a regular spruce up. Do the sensible thing by clearing out litter, wiping down door sills, cleaning the inside of windows, and polishing the dashboard at least once a week. This will stop a build-up of grime, making your journeys pass much more comfortably.
Clean the exterior – and keep it that way
If the interior of your car has a hard time in the changing seasons, that’s nothing compared to the wear your car’s exterior is exposed to.
The only way to stop grit and general dirt from infiltrating the nooks and crannies on the exterior of your vehicle is regular, deep cleaning. Failure to do so is an invitation to corrosion and rust: bad news for you and your car.
Park your car wisely
Under cover is best, where conditions are dry and warm. Failing that, try to find a sheltered spot, perhaps in the drive of your house or beside a tall hedge. That will protect it from the elements, and reduce the amount of de-misting you have to do before hitting the road.
To discuss the maintenance of your vehicle further please get in touch with a member of the Macadams team on 0370 4285191 or bodyshop@macadams.co.uk