During summer, not only must we protect our eyes and skin from the UV rays of sunlight, but we also need to protect our cars. The excessive heat, strong sunshine, and thicker dust of summer can cause harm to an unprotected vehicle. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how to carry out optimal summer car care for your BMW.
Summer Car Care for Your BMW
Protect Your Car’s Paintwork From the Sun
Strong sunlight can cause car paintwork to fade over time. As tempting as it is to leave your beautiful BMW out for everyone to see, it may be better to keep it in the shade.
Park inside a garage or under a car cover when possible. Also, frequently wash dust, dirt, and insects from your car’s bodywork during summer. A good layer of wax can also help protect the paintwork from dirt, debris, and UV rays. Check out our detailing menu and let us take care of that for you.
Check Your Engine’s Cooling System
Overheating is an ever-present threat to any car, and the risk of overheating rises during the hot months of summer. So as summer begins, check that your cooling system and coolant are in good working condition.
Refresh Your Motor Oil
Most drivers have their oil changed at least twice per year. A good time to have this done is the start of summer because the extra heat can cause older oil to degrade faster, which is dangerous for your engine.
Check All Fluid Levels in Your Car
The various vital fluids in a car can also evaporate at a faster rate when the heat rises. As summer starts, it’s a good idea to have a technician check and top up all of your car’s fluids. This should include your brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid.
Replace Your Engine’s Air Filter
The air during summer tends to get dustier and more filled with pollen and bugs. This poses a challenge to the engine’s air filter, which keeps potential contaminants out as fresh oxygen flows into the engine. To ensure your air filter’s up to the challenge, inspect it as summer begins and get a new filter if the old one looks clogged up.
Check the Air Pressure in Your Tires
Heat expands air, so the hot summer climate naturally increases the pressure inside car tires. This is risky as overinflated tires can become damaged more easily and also have diminished traction. It’s therefore wise to check your tire pressure more frequently during summer.
Make Sure Your Battery’s Still Working
Excessive heat can harm car batteries just as much as excessive cold can. When temperatures increase, battery fluid can start to evaporate and the chemical reaction inside batteries can speed up, causing the battery to overcharge and wear out faster. So throughout summer, check your battery every now and then to ensure that it’s not suffering too badly.
For professional guidance on how to maintain your BMW this summer, visit BMW of Bloomfield Hills. Since 1965, we’ve been helping the BMW drivers of Bloomfield Hills and nearby areas keep their cars in tip-top condition all year round.
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