How can you avoid car breakdown during summers?

Summer heat can be as harsh to a car as chilly winters. But you don’t need to worry as there are some ways through which you can check and keep your vehicle in good condition. The below article will help you learn things, such as how to recognize common signs of car breakdown before they happen and what to do in case of emergencies. Read on to find out.

1. Problems due to battery

The battery gives a hard time to cars in winter and can be a bit easier on them in summer. But it can be the leading reason behind a car’s breakdown in hot weather.

Reasons

• Increased stop-start activity leads to battery issues.

• In slow traffic and long journeys, people often plug-in devices such as mobiles, tablets and entertainment, which puts pressure on the battery and can damage it. 

• Crawling in slow traffic also puts a toll on the battery.

Signs

• Facing difficulty in starting the car.

• Lights taking time to turn on or appear dim.

Prevention

• Consider replacing the battery after four to five years.

• Charge your battery after regular short trips or search for car breakdown recovery services in Warrington.

2. Puncture issues in summers

You might not believe it, but many drivers don’t keep a spare tyre in the car. And we all know punctures are inevitable. Though one can tackle minor problems with tyres on their own, serious ones can only be tackled with the help of a repair kit or a mechanic.

How to prevent this?

Keep a spare tyre in your car along with a puncture kit.

3. Clutch damage

• Summers can be harsh on your clutch. 

• Clutch is used more in slow-moving traffic, and driving on unfamiliar roads in remote locations also puts a toll on it.

Reasons

• Towing is the biggest reason for clutch failure.

• Also, unfamiliar locations such as unexpected hills can increase strain to it.

Symptoms

• The clutch does not fail immediately; it will give you signs such as a heavy pedal, etc. You just need to put enough attention towards it. 

How to prevent it?

• Carry out an MOT in Warrington.

• Know about your route in advance.

• Familiarize yourself with your car towing capacity.

3. Alternator problems

• It is one of the most costly repairs in a car.

Reasons

• Alternator problem arises when there are battery issues.

• Hot weather and power-hungry devices put a heavy toll on the alternator.

Warning signs

• Red battery light in the car.

Some Car summer maintenance tips

Check the cooling systems

A leaking cooling system is one of the most common reasons behind vehicle overheating and extensive engine damage. If you own a vehicle with an air conditioner and see a small amount of water on the floor, don’t get afraid- it is due to the condensation of your air conditioning system, so it is normal.

Examine your convertible roof

If you have one and you haven’t used it for a long time. Check it by manually opening and closing it.

Inspect all dashboard lights

Dashboard warning lights indicate a possible problem in your car. It, therefore, must be in good working conditions. Consult a mechanic- if it is not operating correctly.

Get your fan belt checked

A fan belt also called an auxiliary belt, must be in good condition. To ensure if it is working perfectly, get it checked from a local dealer or garage.

Check the jack and wheel brace

They should be in good working conditions as they will allow you to change the tyre in the middle of your journey if anything happens. It is also beneficial to practice changing the spare tyre from the car manual.  

Note: If your vehicle does not come with a jack and wheel brace, learn how to use a tyre repair kit.

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Tips how to enhance the vehicle value

Vehicles are a great investment. One of the most important purchases most people make in their lives. And no car, truck, minivan, or sports car (SUV) has any value. They start depreciating when you drive them off the dealership lot. However, that does not mean the vehicle has no value. Even old and used cars have a certain value and can be sold or exchanged for some money. The important thing is to keep the value of the car as much as possible for as long as you own it. Here are the important tips on how to keep your car's value as high as possible.

1. Keep it Clean - It is important to remember that first impressions count and while a car should be mechanically sound, with no major electrical, window, or bodywork defects, it is always a good idea to clean the inside or outside of your car. You can even go further and pluck or polish the outside and vacuum the inside.

2. Age and mileage - Mileage has a greater impact on depreciation than age does. Cars often travel an average of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. The more you drive and cover a few kilometres, the more likely your car will quickly lose its value. Think about how much wear and tear your car is going through by placing the six-figure mileage on it. If you've driven a top brand car for years and haven't travelled long distances, you can rest assured that your car is labelled "in excellent condition", which gives you a higher resale value or exchange rate if you wish to part ways with your car.

3. Dents, chips, and scratches - If you have a lot of these, it might be worth looking into how much it would cost an auto repair company to fix a significant problem with your car's bodywork. If it is necessary to replace a major ding to the panel, it may make more financial sense to repair it at car body repairs in Warrington- you can only take advantage of it while your car is being valued.

4. Bright lights - Nothing says "worn-out beater" like dirty headlights. Numerous headlight cleaning products on the market can make this plastic headlight covers sharp and clear in a matter of minutes. And many of these products work. If you've tried a window cleaner before, it failed because it wasn't designed for this job.

5. Show documents that your car is in good condition - Whenever you change oil, check fluids, change brakes, or change tires, be sure to keep your receipt. When you have proof of a properly maintained car, you have many options to get the price you deserve.

6. Wax on, wax off - Do you have faded colours? Try not to spend a lot of money on a new one. Break out the wax and polish your way to add value to your car. If the paint on your car is so faded that you can't remember what it was like, try opening the door and looking inside the door frame. The area inside the door frame is rarely exposed to sunlight and harsh chemicals, so it is close to the true colour of the car. Remember, all the wax masks and polishes in the world will probably never bring back that colour and shine, but at least it gives you something to work with.

7. Keeping the shine - When washing your car, experts don't recommend using household cleaners like dish soap. Use a product designed for this purpose to protect your car.

8. Store the car properly - Your garage is more than just storing old furniture and exercise equipment. It is designed to park your vehicle. And that's a good idea, especially if you live in a very cold or hot climate. Too much sun can fade a car's exterior, including body paint, mouldings, and trim. On the other hand, extremely low temperatures can damage the car engine and its components. By keeping your car indoors in an air-conditioned environment, you can avoid expensive repairs and maintain the value of the car in the long run. So, clean your garage and park your car in it tonight.

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Things to Do Before You Get Your Vehicle Towed

At some point, many of you may find yourselves in a situation in which you need to get your car or vehicle towed, taken to the car repair professionals, and need breakdown recovery in Warrington. It is not a pleasant experience, but if you understand how to manage the towing service, this will go a long way in keeping your money. If you have had a bumper bender or if your vehicle simply would not start, asking a towing company is usually the only choice possible to get your vehicle away from the road or to a restoration workshop. What most people do not understand is that not all towing services offer the equivalent standard of assistance to their clients. There is a particular way in which cars and vehicles should be carried when being towed.

There are some vital checks that you need to keep in mind before you let anyone tow your vehicle:

• Determine your vehicle: When you experience an accident, your initial thought may be to call a towing service to get your car to the restoration centre as quickly as feasible. Nevertheless, the fact is that you might be handy to get your car back on the way simply using roadside assistance. Besides, it is fundamental to see that some roadside assistance services don’t provide towing assistance after a disaster. So, it is important you determine your circumstance and requirements.
• Call your car insurance company: Asking your car insurance company is a good plan when you face this kind of situation. Your insurance company can inform you exactly what you necessitate to do the following and what method you need to choose to assure your vehicle's protection. Also, they can guide you on inexpensive towing charges and may even suggest reliable towing assistance in your area. Still, if you are helpless to contact your insurance company immediately, you can have your car towed securely by using the other moves mentioned below.
• Prepare your vehicle: If you have found a reliable towing company, the moment you wait for the tow vehicle operator to come and recover your car, take a picture of your car's damage area you see on the car and the crash scene. You can use these images as a prof to ensure that the garage has serviced your car properly. Moreover, the pictures will be helpful when making the insurance paperwork.
• Keep your valuable and personal items safe: Before you get your vehicle towed, it is important to remove all your valuable and personal items from the car and put in a bag to keep them safe. This could be anything which you will be scared to lose or require while your vehicle is in the service garage.
• Check the towing representative: It is extremely important to verify the towing professional who comes because many local tow vehicle drivers are already serving on the side of the road and always try to get new business. Sometimes they try to convince people to get their vehicle towed when there is no need. So, if you want to avoid this situation, make sure you get the relevant details from the towing company.
• Read the documents before signing: The towing professional needs to give you a detailed statement and not a blank record. This will help you to be sure of what they will charge you to pull your vehicle to the place where you want. Also, you need to make sure that you just accept to pay to tow your car, not to repair your car by a particular facility. Read all the documents carefully before you sign. Keep the paperwork for further use.

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