In order to make sure that your car is in top shape for summer, you’ll need the right tools for the job. As the weather improves, the heat brings certain challenges on the road that wouldn’t normally be present during the rest of the year. At Ryobi, we have everything you need to care for your car this summer, so follow our top tips.
Protect the exterior
Your car’s exterior is exposed to every element, no matter the time of year. During summer, harsh UV rays can have a damaging effect on the body. The sun can damage the exterior paint, meaning you have to repair it.
While keeping your car in an enclosed garage would be ideal, not everybody has access to one; try to park your car in the shade to keep it protected.
We also recommend that you wax your car every six months to keep harsh UV rays, dust and grime away. With an 18V cordless buffer, you can apply polish and wax to maintain the finish of your car with ease. In addition, you can use a pressure washer to keep your car clean on a regular basis and to avoid the buildup of dust and grime.
Interior protection
The summer can also be tough on your car’s interior. Prolonged parking can cause quite a smell, even more so with leather upholstery. You should clean your interior regularly and thoroughly throughout the summer. We recommend you clean floor mats, dashboards and AC vents to ensure it’s kept well maintained during the summer. By using an 18V cordless hand vac, you can clear up any dry spills, while also getting to those hard-to-reach places. It’s quick and easy to use whenever you need it, even on the road.
Service air-con system
You use your air conditioning system more often during summer, as you need to keep cool during days of intense heat. Having your AC system on full blast more often might damage it in the long run, especially in older cars. It’s worth getting your AC system serviced, so it’s ready for longer usage.
Service your car before summer
Before the summer hits, it’s always good to service your car ahead of the warm conditions. You should check fluid levels and regularly top up your transmission, differential and brake oil. Time your service so you have new engine oil for the season ahead and add new coolant so the engine can work effectively. Whether you complete the service yourself or ask a professional, ensure that you check up on all parts of the car that can break easily.
Check tyre pressure
Your tyres take more of a beating than any other part of your car and warm conditions can add to this general wear and tear. While some people overlook the condition of tyres, an underinflated tyre could put pressure on the sidewalls, which could lead to it blowing. By using an 18V cordless inflator, you can add pressure to your tyres wherever you are. To avoid issues during summer, increase your tyre pressure by 3-5psi so they don’t get too soft as they heat up.
You should get a minimum of 20,000 miles out of your tyres from everyday use, although various things can increase wear; your driving style, tyre position and load. Tyres degrade naturally from exposure to heat and sunlight and the damage increases based on the severity of the weather. By checking your tyres, you’ll know if they need changing. If you do change tyres yourself, our 18V cordless 3-speed impact wrench can loosen and tighten heavy duty fasteners, so you can change your tyres whenever and wherever you need to.
Check your battery
The heat during summer months can have a negative effect on a car’s battery. With the fluid inside evaporating quicker because of the heat, the life of a battery can be drastically shortened. You should get your battery checked out to find out if it’s charging at the correct rate. You should also check for corrosion on battery terminals and if they’re free of dirt, with all cable connections secure. To ensure you see as much of your battery as possible, an 18V cordless folding area light will light up areas that you wouldn’t normally see with natural light. It will also last for up to 360 minutes, giving you plenty of time to service your battery.
With the tips and tools listed above, you can ensure your car is well protected during the summer. These cordless tools are part of the one+ system so you only need one battery to power them all and you don’t have to worry about running out of battery with our 18V in-car charger plugs into your car’s 12V DC outlet to charge your tools batteries while on the road. It also has condition monitoring which tests your battery’s voltage and temperature so it can look after the battery for the long-term. Browse our range of automotive power tools, to ensure you’re fully prepared for summer today.