The month of September officially signifies the start of Spring and not too long from now, Summer will be in full force with plenty of sunshine for everyone to enjoy.
With the change in season from cold and wet to dry, motorists now have to adequately prepare their cars (and themselves) and to remember that there are certain things you need to check and do to your vehicle to ensure it makes as smooth a transition between the seasons as possible.
While you could get away with driving a dirty car during winter, car washes will definitely be a hive of activity once the sun starts shining. Driving a clean car just makes you feel good.
Gumtree lists a couple of important steps to take to make sure your car is cool and properly prepared for the warmer months that lie ahead:
Test your air-conditioning
Will the incoming warmer weather, the aircon (just like the heater was during winter) will be used to create a cool airflow in the cabin. Take it to an expert to ascertain whether it needs repair, regas or service to change the oil and filters, as well as inspecting all other components.
Refill your fluids
The last thing you want is for your engine to be thirsty and see the heat gauge needle all the way to the right. It's normal for a car's fluid level to drop slightly over time, but not at a rapid rate as it indicates a leakage. Clean out or replace the external radiator bottle and fill it below the MAX level.
Make sure your radiator is clog-free
The purpose of the radiator is to cool the engine and prevent it from overheating. Over time, debris can cause external damage, as well as internal clogging due to corrosion/rust. Either have your radiator flushed or have a new one fitted to make sure the engine doesn't get hot under the collar.
Clean or replace your brake discs/pads
Pay extra attention to how responsive your vehicle is when you brake, listen for squealing or ‘growling’ sounds. Wet conditions require you to brake harder and therefore causes your discs and pads to wear out faster. Depending on the condition or duration, they might just even need a quick wipe.
Check your battery's strength
Batteries exposed to colder weather simply don't produce the same amount of power as warm batteries, and a car’s battery loses about 35% of its strength. Most battery outlets will test the power of your battery free of charge and let you know whether it needs to be replaced.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android) and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
With the change in season from cold and wet to dry, motorists now have to adequately prepare their cars (and themselves) and to remember that there are certain things you need to check and do to your vehicle to ensure it makes as smooth a transition between the seasons as possible.
While you could get away with driving a dirty car during winter, car washes will definitely be a hive of activity once the sun starts shining. Driving a clean car just makes you feel good.
Gumtree lists a couple of important steps to take to make sure your car is cool and properly prepared for the warmer months that lie ahead:
Test your air-conditioning
Will the incoming warmer weather, the aircon (just like the heater was during winter) will be used to create a cool airflow in the cabin. Take it to an expert to ascertain whether it needs repair, regas or service to change the oil and filters, as well as inspecting all other components.
Refill your fluids
The last thing you want is for your engine to be thirsty and see the heat gauge needle all the way to the right. It's normal for a car's fluid level to drop slightly over time, but not at a rapid rate as it indicates a leakage. Clean out or replace the external radiator bottle and fill it below the MAX level.
Make sure your radiator is clog-free
The purpose of the radiator is to cool the engine and prevent it from overheating. Over time, debris can cause external damage, as well as internal clogging due to corrosion/rust. Either have your radiator flushed or have a new one fitted to make sure the engine doesn't get hot under the collar.
Clean or replace your brake discs/pads
Pay extra attention to how responsive your vehicle is when you brake, listen for squealing or ‘growling’ sounds. Wet conditions require you to brake harder and therefore causes your discs and pads to wear out faster. Depending on the condition or duration, they might just even need a quick wipe.
Check your battery's strength
Batteries exposed to colder weather simply don't produce the same amount of power as warm batteries, and a car’s battery loses about 35% of its strength. Most battery outlets will test the power of your battery free of charge and let you know whether it needs to be replaced.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android) and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
