Six Easy Safety Checks for All Drivers This Summer

Motorists have been told to carry out essential safety checks on their cars before setting off on summer journeys as the temperatures continue to rise.

Road safety experts at Road Angel have named the six quick and easy checks all UK drivers should carry out on their vehicles this summer.

Essential car maintenance takes just a few minutes before setting off, but many motorists think their cars will be refined throughout the summer months.

The summer months statistically cause more car breakdowns because rising temperatures hurt vehicles up and down the country.

Keeping an eye on oil levels and engine coolant throughout sunny days will help ensure cars remain calm and prevent them from overheating.

Checking the tyre pressure with an inexpensive pressure gauge will help keep summer drivers as safe as possible and regularly make sure the battery has no leaks or cracks.

With hundreds of bugs and flies hitting the windscreen, ensuring the wipers are clean and the fluid is topped up will ensure drivers have a clear view of the road ahead.

And with fuel levels dropping faster in the summer, it’s essential to keep an eye on the gauge, and drivers should not rely on their usual estimations of when a trip to the petrol station is needed.

Gary Digva, the founder of Road Angel, said that carrying out these quick car maintenance checks regularly throughout the summer will help to prevent serious breakdowns.

He said: “Many of us know that we should perform car checks more often than we do, but quickly inspecting your vehicle can help stop breakdowns and car damage.

“Quickly looking over your car only takes a couple of minutes out of your week, but it often makes all the difference between breaking down or not.

“Keep your car cool by ensuring the engine coolant and oil levels are correct before setting off – as well as using a pressure gauge to keep the tyre pressure at an optimum.

“And as hot days continue to sweep the country, ensure your battery isn’t leaking and is securely in place – use free car battery checks, which many garages offer.

“Ensure that your fuel levels are kept up, especially on long summer road trips, as well as the windscreen wash to remove any bug splats, dirt and dust.”

Here are Road Angel’s six summer car safety checks:

1. Oil Levels

Ensuring the oil level is optimum will keep vehicles cool and working correctly. Some cars will have a warning light to show the oil levels need topping up, but drivers of typically older cars use the dipstick to check the engine oil hasn’t fallen below the minimum level.

2. Tyre Pressure

Tyres must be kept in reasonable condition to ensure summer drives are as safe as possible. Tyre gauges can measure each wheel’s pressure and disease and are inexpensive. When temperatures rise, tyre pressure also increases, so it’s essential to regularly check vehicles when the weather is more relaxed in the evenings or early hours.

3. Battery

The heat can still severely damage vehicle batteries even when cars aren’t being driven. Although dead batteries are often associated with cold temperatures, drivers must be aware that hot weather can also strain batteries. Check there are no leaks or cracks before setting off. Many garages also offer free battery health checks.

4. Windscreen

Clean off bug splats and dirt on windscreens and mirrors, especially on hot days when the bright sun can affect the driver’s vision. Check that the windscreen wash is topped up and the wiper blades are in good condition to keep a clear view of the road ahead.

5. Engine Coolant

The engine coolant is one of the most important checks to carry out on vehicles this summer. Although coolant rarely needs topping up, checking the levels are safely between the minimum and maximum markers will prevent engines from overheating.

6. Fuel

Watch out for dropping fuel levels before setting off in the summer months. When the weather gets warmer, vehicle fuel levels tend to fall much quicker than usual. Don’t rely on typical estimations of when the car needs filling up; keep a close eye on the gauge.

To learn more about keeping your car safe from the heat, visit https://www.roadangelgroup.com/.

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