AMMAN — With the arrival of
hot summer days, it is important
that vehicle owners prepare for the rising temperatures in order to avoid any major
problems and even accidents while driving.
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These tips can help protect your car, extend its
life, and make you safer when driving.
Avoid overheating
It’s not just the weather that gets hotter in the summer,
your vehicle can, too. Apart from the temperatures, heavy driving and long
trips can also lead to engine overheating. That is why your car’s engine needs to
be thoroughly checked during hot summer days and before long trips.
Make sure to check engine lubricant, and if your car’s oil looks
overly dark or contains a lot of dirt and impurities, change the oil and
replace the oil filter. Dirty oil can reduce performance and overheat your
engine, making it run less smoothly.
Most car manufacturers recommend changing the engine oil
every 10,000–15,000km, but under difficult driving conditions, it is preferable
to change the oil every 5,000km. However, always check your vehicle's user
manual for more information on oil change intervals.
Your engine’s coolant levels and cooling fan should also be
checked, along with brake and transmission fluid.
Checking tires and batteries
As for tires, make sure to check the air pressure of all
your tires before taking any trip, as properly inflated tires prevent problems
with low tire pressure or blowouts and ruptures. The correct tire pressure also helps save
fuel.
Extreme heat can also sometimes drain battery power, so
check and test your battery to see if you have enough capacity, and identify
any potential problems or damage before your trip.
Keeping the inside of your car cool
The summer heat can lead to unpleasant surprises for
passengers if the air conditioning is not working properly or is blowing hot
air. Most tools to check your car’s AC are specialized and require that you visit
a shop to diagnose any problems.
However, you can check the cabin air filter, which when
using an air conditioner, keeps dust and other contaminants such as pollen and
dirt out of your vehicle. Having a clean air filter can help improve cabin air
quality and enable the cooling system to operate more efficiently.
Another tip to keep the inside of your car cool involves
sunshades. If you are going to park your car outdoors, it's recommended to use high
quality sunshades for your windshield. This affordable and simple tool helps
protect your dashboard and steering wheel from the sun, and ensures the cabin
stays cooler.
Also, make sure you have an emergency kit inside your car
that includes a mobile phone charger in case of any unexpected problem. Most
new cars are equipped with a roadside
assistance package, if you don't have one, make sure to get one.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: Never leave or store flammable items
inside the car, such as hand sanitizers, perfume, or batteries, as they can
cause serious damage if left in a hot vehicle for a long time.
Protecting your car’s exterior
The summer sun’s harsh rays can damage your car’s paint. So,
after washing your car, wax it to protect the exterior. This will keep your car
looking new and can add an extra layer of UV protection.
Finally, it's recommended to replace old or cracked wipers
before any trip, as you may need them to help you get a better view during
dusty weather or to clear dirt. Because worn wipers leave streaks on the
windshield; they may affect visibility. Therefore, when taking your car to maintenance and service centers,
inquire about the condition of your wipers.
Lastly, keep your car summer ready and enjoy those long
summer road trips.
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