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Prepare your car now for the warmer weather and avoid breakdowns
publication date: May 1, 2010
The Institute of Advanced Motorists has offered
drivers advice on how to prime their cars properly for the warmer
weather.
IAM Chief Examiner Peter Rodger said, “After a long
winter of wear and tear through snow, salt and potholes - and now
volcanic dust - your car will be in need of a little TLC. Being prepared
for the summer and making checks now can save you a lot of money in the
long run.
“Try to deal with any minor problems and repairs as they
happen, as they can become very expensive if left to build up over
time”. |  | The IAM stresses that certain checks should be made
regardless of the season. “Anti-freeze contains corrosion inhibitors so
you should keep your car topped up with the right mixture all year
round; going without could lead to expensive internal damage such as a
blown head gasket,” added Mr Rodger.
The IAM recommends five tips to prepare your car:
• Now is a good time to treat your car to a spring clean. Salt is a
corrosive and will cause rusting if left on the bodywork. If possible
take your car to a car wash that specialises in under-car cleaning to
get rid of every trace.
• The UK pollen season starts around now and can be pretty miserable for
hayfever sufferers, so replacing your car’s pollen filter annually is a
vital investment. Keeping your air-con well maintained will help, too.
• Servicing your air-con will help your car smell better. If it smells
stale when you turn the heating on, it could well be a sign that mould
is building up in your condenser.
• Flies will soon be out in force so be sure to refill your washer
fluid. Habitually washing the windscreen and headlamps when you stop for
fuel is also important as windscreen wipers won’t get rid of all the
fly debris.
• Old wiper blades are not only deafening, they can leave marks on the
windscreen, so remember to replace them regularly. After the dust that
has fallen from the volcanic ash cloud, it is particularly important
that you clean them regularly to avoid damaging your windscreen. | | | |
With less than one in ten checking their brake pads were safe (8pc) and 88pc admitting leaving the car seatbelts unchecked, this suggests that the majority of Britons take fundamental vehicle safety features for granted, leaving passengers at increased risk on long journeys.
The latest research from the RMI asked a representative sample of more than 2,000 British people to identify their before-you-travel car checklist and the results expose a nation of dangerous drivers and illegal vehicles.
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