Tips for Car Care in Summer
Kamilya
Car care is much more than just cosmetics. Caring for your car in every season does a lot to maintain its value. But what do you need to think about in the hot season and which care products are suitable for which car part? Find out in our guide.
Importance of vehicle care in summer
Car care in summer protects windows, paintwork, bodywork, and engine from damage. This also prevents expensive repairs, as paint damage can develop into rust spots. Last but not least, scratched and dirty headlights or smearing windscreen wipers pose a safety risk. By taking optimum care of your car, you will always be safe on the road in summer. We at CARIFY will tell you what you need.
Exterior cleaning and care
Dusty roads, bird droppings, or parking under blossoming trees leave external marks on the vehicle in the warm season. Added to this are insects that hit the car while driving. To prevent the deposits from eating into the paintwork, you should clean the outside of the vehicle regularly. Use care products to protect heat-sensitive car parts from the sun.
Regular car washes
Pollen, tree resin, and dust leave an unsightly film of dirt on cars in summer. Over time, the paintwork even becomes dull. You should clean your car regularly for more than just visual reasons. It is worth removing fresh dirt such as insects with a damp cloth after every drive. This takes less effort than having to tackle the dried-on residue.
Did you know that the substances contained in the deposits can react chemically with each other and the paint? They then literally eat their way through to the bodywork. The result: corrosion and rust have an easy time of it. And this is the best way to proceed:
Pre-clean the vehicle and remove the coarsest dirt. Use a special insect cleaner (observe exposure time! Do not use in direct sunlight or on hot paintwork!) in combination with a soft sponge remove adhering residues such as insects, bird droppings, and tree secretions. This prevents paint scratches during the subsequent wash. Then rinse well.
In addition to the windows and mirrors, don't forget to clean the vehicle lights. A window cleaner foam removes all residues effortlessly.
Dust and pollen act like micro-sandpaper and dull the paintwork. Remove these residues with clear water and soft sponges or a high-pressure cleaner.
Remember to clean the license plates. Simply leave a little shaving foam on them and rinse off with clean water.
Rims and tires also do hard work in summer. To clean them, leave rim cleaner and tire foam to work and carefully remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas with a soft brush.
Now the car is ready for the car wash. If you prefer to clean the car yourself instead of going to the car wash, you should opt for a self-service wash station. There, the water contaminated with oil and care product residues is collected and treated instead of being discharged into the groundwater via wastewater. To protect water in Switzerland, private car washes with care products are even prohibited. However, rinsing with clean water is permitted. Special car shampoos are available for cleaning in self-service car washes.
Paint care and protection from sun damage
After cleaning, it's time for care. A polish ensures that the paintwork is protected and dirt adheres less well. A layer of car wax enhances the protective effect. Both products seal the surface and even out small scratches.
You should also treat your tires to summer care. The rubber can become brittle and cracked in the blazing sun. With suitable care, you can protect the rims and tires and prevent the overused tires from bursting on the road. Vaseline or rubber care products protect the material of the summer tires from the sun's rays.
Summer vehicle care includes checking the tires for damage and wear - this is for your safety. You should also adjust the tire pressure, as the air inside expands in the heat. This results in increased fuel consumption and uneven tire wear.
Interior care
Upholstery, rubber seals on doors and windows, and the fittings inside the car do not like heat either. Rubber and plastic become brittle and seat covers can tear more quickly. For this reason alone, you should also take care of the interior of your car in summer when you regularly wash it. First, remove dust and clean the rubber seals.
Use a plastic freshener to care for the fittings and restore their rich color.
Rubber care products maintain the elasticity of the material. Alternatively, you can use Vaseline.
Upholstery care products for rubbing in or spraying on maintain the car seats.
Protection from sunlight
Protective mats on all windows or cardboard sun visors for the front and rear windows protect the interior from direct sunlight. A pleasant side effect: you also get into a cooler car.
Caring for the vehicle technology
In summer, you should always keep an eye on your car's operating fluids. Otherwise, the engine could overheat and be irreparably damaged.
Check the oil level and follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding oil changes.
Make sure you have enough coolant and that the cooling system is working properly.
Avoid starting problems by cleaning the battery terminals and occasionally checking the battery charge level.
Checking the air conditioning system
For a good drive at all times in summer, you should check the air conditioning system so that it can keep the vehicle interior pleasantly cool.
Is the air conditioning system blowing out cold air when it is switched on? If not, this could indicate a problem with the refrigerant or the air conditioning compressor.
Is the air conditioning system making unusual noises or spreading strange odors? Then the filters may need to be replaced. Mold or bacteria could also have formed in the system. It is advisable to have the system checked by a garage.
Have the air conditioning system serviced regularly by a specialist who will check the refrigerant, clean the system, and repair it if necessary.
Avoiding summer damage
Hot, sunny days don't just affect people and animals. Standing in the blazing sun for hours on end is not good for your car either. The vehicle electronics could go on strike, shortening the life of the tires. It's best to look for shady parking spaces. Alternatively, a sun protection mat can be used to keep the vehicle interior cooler and prevent damage to the electronics.
Be careful when parking on dry vegetation. After driving, the exhaust and catalytic converter remain hot for a while. This could ignite dry grass or bushes nearby.
Another tip for the hot season: don't fill up the car with too much fuel. Fuels expand in the heat. If an overfilled tank leaks, this will damage the paintwork - and the environment, not to mention the risk of fire.
Dealing with insects and pollen
A summer windshield wiper fluid makes it easier to remove insect residues, dust, and pollen. This ensures streak-free vision and reduces glare.
Conclusion
Like all weather conditions, summer places its very own demands on vehicles. Regular care and maintenance of the technology and exterior is not just for looks, but also increases your safety when driving and prevents expensive repairs. In addition, vehicle parts such as tires last longer and need to be replaced less frequently. A well-maintained, shiny paintwork increases the overall value of the car.
The services included in a CARIFY car subscription also include numerous other services. We want you to be safe and breakdown-free on the road at any time of year. The best way to achieve this is with a technically flawless vehicle with optimal tires. Whether it's an inspection, summer check - our dedicated service team will organize everything for you and ensure that you have as little to worry about as possible. You can either bring the car to one of our partner garages throughout Switzerland yourself or use our convenient pick-up and delivery service. Simply contact our customer service team by e-mail at bookings@carify.com.
FAQ
What do you need for a professional car wash?
The following cleaning products will help you with your summer car wash:
Soft sponges and brushes
Insect sponge for non-sensitive vehicle parts. However, they cause scratches on sensitive surfaces such as license plates, paintwork, headlights, or windows.
Car Shampoo
Insect remover
Window cleaner foam
Rim cleaner
Tire foam
Shaving foam
What is the best way to maintain a car?
A well-maintained car looks good and lasts longer. Here's how to do it:
Regular car washing removes dirt, dust, and other deposits that can damage the paint surface.
Subsequent paint care with wax or polish protects the paint from scratches and adhering dirt and gives it a new shine. Rust is prevented.
Interior care tackles dirt, dust, and stains. In summer, special care products ensure a longer service life for plastic parts, seals, and seat covers.
Engine care includes frequently checking the level of operating fluids (oil, coolant). Washing the engine compartment prevents faults caused by soiling.
Always use tires with sufficient tread to suit the weather conditions. The tires should be aligned and well-balanced. Check the following:
Tire pressure
Signs of wear
Which car care products?
Use special products to ensure optimum care of the various car components:
Car polish, and car wax: seal, maintain, and protect the paintwork.
Rubber care products or Vaseline: keep the rubber of tires and seals elastic.
Plastic freshener: maintains and protects the plastic parts inside and outside the car.
Upholstery care products: maintain the color and elasticity of the seat covers.
How often should you have your car reconditioned?
Professional car valeting is not only useful if you want to sell your car. If you treat your car to a treatment every 6 to 12 months, you will increase the vehicle value, protect the paintwork, and extend the service life of many vehicle parts.
