Summer’s officially here and who doesn’t dread the ridiculously high temperatures here in the UAE. Every year we plan our holidays so that we can at least spend part of the summer outside the country. But with international flights coming to an almost halt due to Covid -19, most of us are going to be stuck here all summer. We are not the only ones bearing the brunt of the heat. Our vehicles do too. Hence, don’t neglect the needs of your car. Watch out for the following to ensure you beat the heat and stay safe on the roads this summer.

Maintain your tyres – Heat expands, so to avoid a blowout, ensure regular tyre checks. Bursting of tyres is very common in the UAE. Check the owner’s manual to confirm the proper inflation pressure required for your vehicle.
Get the air-condition tested – The best way to ensure that the AC’s working perfectly is to check if the temperature inside the car is at least 10 degrees lower than outside temperature. If that’s not happening then you surely need to get it checked by the professionals.
Get your battery tested – High temperatures can really cut short a battery’s shelf life. It’s always ideal to have your car’s battery tested at the beginning of summer, even though it may not show signs of wearing off. This will ensure you don’t have breakdowns in the middle of highways or when you’re least expecting it.
Top up coolant fluids – Even your car needs to stay hydrated. So, make sure you check on its coolant levels, in order to ensure it has access to adequate lubrication and can keep your vehicle from overheating in the summer.
Get the car serviced – Getting your car serviced regularly will ensure it remains in perfect condition, Servicing may not come cheap but will definitely save a lot of trouble and cash in the long term.
Park in the shade – If you park your car for just an hour in the blazing heat, it becomes almost impossible to get in and start the car. The high temperatures are often responsible for faded paint, discolored interiors, and cracks on the armrest or dashboard. Try and get access to a shady spot. This may not always be possible so you can consider purchasing a car cover or, at the very least, a sunshade.
Be careful of what you keep in the car – The interior of the car can become an oven in no time if parked outside during summer. So, we really have to be careful of what we keep inside. Children and pets should never be left inside the car even if air-conditioning is on. Do not keep any pressurized containers, perfume bottles, etc. as they may explode due to heat expansion. In the current scenario, leaving your gloves and sanitizer bottles in the car is also risky as these can catch fire easily. Never clean your car keys with sanitizer.