Top Summer Tips For Driving Your Volvo or Toyota
The blog this week is based around ensuring that your Volvo or Toyota is in tip top condition ready for your summer weekends away or your long awaited staycation. Hot weather can cause damage to our vehicles. Follow our tips to reduce the chance of being stranded at the roadside broken down. Read on to find out more:
- Check your battery
Battery failure is the most common reason for car breakdowns, and excessive temperatures can shorten the life of your car battery if it's not properly sealed because the electrolyte can evaporate more quickly.
Check the fluid level in your car’s battery and top up with distilled water if necessary. However, low-maintenance (sealed) batteries don’t have filler caps and don’t need topping up. It’s still worth checking the battery for corrosion and leakage of battery acid. If you change your battery yourself please dispose of it in the correct manner.
- Check Your AC
Manufacturers recommend that air-con systems are re gassed every two years. If you are having problems with your air con don’t assume it needs a re gass – it may have a leak. Only use a reputable independent garage to do this work – one that is certified. Don't forget to use the air-con regularly and throughout the year – the fluid in the system lubricates the washers and seals, and without regular use the gas can leak.
- Check your Tyre Pressures
Hot weather increases the air pressure in your tyres, putting more strain on any weak areas and upping the risk of a puncture. Overinflated tyres are likely to wear more quickly and are also more prone to blow outs.
We constantly say in our blogs that good tyre care not only vital in minimising accidents, correctly inflated tyres will last longer because there will not be uneven wear. So please check your car’s tyre pressures regularly when the tyres are cold, and check the tyres for improper tread wear and other defects that could result in a puncture. Again – our blogs will tell you how to check the depth of the tyres tread at various places around the tyre using a 20p coin.
- Check Your Fluid Levels
As we constantly say in our blogs you should check coolant levels and engine oil levels regularly along with your, brake, clutch and power steering fluid -preferably fortnightly. Don't forget to top up the windscreen washer bottle with screen wash or water if you don’t have it to hand before you start your trip. At the same time check your wiper blades are not disintegrating and leaving smears on your windscreen. If they are get them replaced.
- Check Your Belts
There's at least one drivebelt in your car’s engine bay that drives the alternator, air-con compressor and water and steering pumps. You should be able to check it visually. Check that all the seatbelts are working for all passengers. At the same time as visually checking your engine belts you can check that your cooling fan engages - by running the engine for five minutes when it’s already warm and listening out for the fan kicking in.
- When is Your Car Due its Service?
If your car’s due its annual service and MOT around the same time that you are planning your summer trip get it done before you go – that way any issues can be picked up before you go and costly breakdowns can be avoided.
- Breakdown Insurance
Check to see if you have breakdown cover included in your car insurance or with your bank account – breakdown cover is always going to be cheaper if you buy it before hand rather than waiting until you breakdown – being towed off the motorway can be incredibly expensive. Happy Safe Motoring Folks!
Here at ACC UK Ltd, Winners of The Motor Trader Independent Garage of The Year 2015, 2019 & 2020, The Inspire Customer Service Excellence 2016 Award, The Eagle Radio Customer Focus 2017 Business Award, The Workshop Magazine Workshop Manager of the Year 2017 Award, The LiveWire Excellence In Vehicle Servicing 2019 Award and The Aftermarket Excellence Award for Best Website 2019, The Eagle Radio Biz Award – Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 & the SME News Magazine Most Trusted Car Servicing Provider 2020, we pride ourselves on offering an outstanding customer experience for a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Give us a call and let us quote you for your next service or repair on your Volvo or Toyota. We service all areas around Farnborough, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnham, Guildford, Frimley, Camberley, Hook, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Yateley, Hampshire and Surrey. We offer free collection and drop off services. We also have a fleet of courtesy cars to allow you to get on with your schedule whilst your Volvo or Toyota is with us. Happy Motoring from all at ACC UK Ltd – Independent Volvo & Toyota servicing, repair and MOT specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire.
