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Can your vehicle handle the heat?

Prepare your car for summer.

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Monday, November 11, 2019

You know it’s summer when you get in your car and you’re burnt by the scalding steering wheel and seatbelt buckle at the same time.

With the mercury rising and blistering temperatures on the horizon, you’ll want to make sure your car can handle the heat.

From checking your coolant to covering up, here are a few things you can do to prepare your ride for our hottest season.

1. Keep hydrated

It’s not just humans who need to keep their fluids topped up during the hotter months.

You’ll want to regularly check your car’s coolant levels to make sure it doesn’t overheat.

Only check the coolant level when the engine’s cold, otherwise liquid could spurt out and burn you.

To check your levels, look at the plastic flow bottle which will have both low and high line markings.

The coolant should be filled to halfway between the 2 lines.

You can also check your coolant by unscrewing the radiator pressure cap – it should reach the top of the radiator neck.

If you do need to top up the system, only use the recommended coolant or water,
and avoid mixing types as they can turn into a jelly-like substance and clog your cooling system.

A hand tightening the lid for the coolant reservoir.
Check your coolant levels before summer hits.

2. Stay cool

Nobody wants to drive around in an oven, so before we experience our first heatwave, it’s probably a good idea to test out your air con.

If it isn’t working as well as it used to, take it to a certified technician and have it serviced.

Have them replace the cabin air filter if it hasn’t been changed in 6 months.

A hand changing the air-conditi
Ensure your car’s air con is working efficiently.

3. Seek shade

To avoid a cracked dashboard and warped interior plastics, you’ll want to protect your car from the harsh summer sun.

While parking in the shade is ideal, it’s not always possible. Invest in a windscreen sun shade to help lower the internal temperature of your car and protect its interior.

Sun shades can also stop your seatbelt buckle and steering wheel from becoming searing hot.

If your car is parked in the sun for long periods, invest in a car cover to stop your paint fading and prevent dirt and debris from becoming baked into the paintwork.

Car with a car cover on its windscreen.
Use a windshield sun shade to keep your car a bit cooler while it’s in the sun.

4. Ensure you’ve got a summer view

During summer, the sun stays on the horizon for longer, making it harder to see east in the morning and west in the evening.

If your windscreen is dirty, visibility – especially during these times – will be even worse.

To clear away dust and dirt, it’s essential to have working windscreen wipers. If they’re looking a bit crusty, replace them.

You’ll also want to make sure your windscreen wiper fluid is topped up, and when cleaning your car’s interior, don’t forget to wipe the inside of your windscreen with a microfibre cloth to remove smudges and dust.

Make sure your windscreen wipers are in good, working order.

Get your car ready for summer

RAA members get 10% off Repco products in-store and online.

Click here

Need car advice?

RAA members can call our free Technical Advisory service for answers to their car questions.

Ask us

Or call 8202 4689

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