Brits are sweltering in a heatwave as the Met Office has issued a warning for "dangerous" 34c weather - but you also need to take care with your belongings in the scorching heat, in particular your car.
The Met Office has warned large swathes of England to be prepared as temperatures are set to rocket so high they could set a record for the hottest day in June since records began.
Parts of the South East, South and London could reach temperatures hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.
Experts are warning that there are a number of maintenance checks that should be carried out, not only to protect your car from expensive damage, but also to prevent a hefty fine, Glasgow Live reports.
Failing to ensure you vehicle is safe to drive before a journey could land you with a fine of up to £2,500, as well as three licence points.
Director at Leasing Options Mike Thompson said: "It's important that before starting a summer car journey, drivers carry out some simple quick checks to ensure their vehicle is in a safe condition to drive long distances.
"Motorists who fail to do so could risk breaking down mid-journey and also face a fine if their vehicle is deemed in a dangerous condition."
Here is a roundup of seven car maintenance checks you should carry out amid the heatwave, as shared by Leasing Options.
1. Check for signs of a slow tyre puncture
Repair cost per tyre on average: £35
Not all tyre punctures make themselves known immediately. Often slow punctures can go undetected for a long time, resulting in a slow loss of air which then leads to a drop in pressure.
This puts all passengers in danger as the tyre can't perform to its full potential.
You should check for signs of a slow puncture before your road trip by checking your tyres with a tyre pressure gauge (available at most petrol stations).
The biggest warning sign to watch out for are if your vehicle is pulling more to one side when driving straight or vibrations in your steering wheel, especially at high speed.
To check the tyre press, details of its recommended PSI for each tyre is usually detailed on the inside door frame or within your vehicle handbook.
2. A hard clutch pedal is a sign of a failing clutch cable
Clutch replacement cost on average: £475
For manual cars every time you change gear the clutch comes under pressure. Over time this can affect a vehicle's clutch cables.
One major sign of a failing clutch pedal is a hard clutch pedal.
A cable experiencing problems will struggle to move when the clutch pedal is pressed resulting in a pedal that resists depression when stepped on.
If you continue to press on the pedal when this is occurring, it could cause the cable to break. The result of this will be an inoperable clutch pedal.
If you notice a change in how your clutch feels, you must take your vehicle to get checked out immediately. Driving with faulty clutch cables could cause a serious accident.
3. Beware of tyre valve failure
Repair cost per tyre on average: £35
Tyre valve failure can be a cause of slow tyre puncture, so it is important motorists know how to check if their tyre valve is failing.
One handy way to check this at home is adding some washing-up liquid to water, removing the valve cap, and brush the liquid over the tyre valve.
If bubbles begin to form then it is most likely the vehicle has a tyre valve failure.
4. Check for signs of a coolant leak to avoid the engine overheating
Average car radiator replacement cost: £200
The vehicles radiator is the key component in the larger cooling system within a car, it's designed to allow coolant to flow through it.
The coolant is pumped around the system via the water pump, the radiator is generally situated at the front of the vehicle and low down to allow the cooler dense air to flow through it when driving.
The air flow cools the coolant inside the radiator reducing its temperature, as this flows around the system and back towards the engine, maintaining optimum running temperature.
When the vehicle is in slow moving traffic or stationery you may hear the radiator/coolant fan turn on, these are designed to draw air through radiator mimicking air flow and cooling the coolant.
To do these the vehicle needs its coolant at maximum level and any leaks within the whole system will reduce the radiator’s ability to cool the coolant, causing the engine to run hotter than its designed, thus causing damage.
When conducting your weekly or monthly checks and you notice the coolant level dropping its a sealed system you should not need to be always topping it up, have a nosy around the engine bay for signs of leaks, or weeping around the lower parts of the front bumper.
5. Have dim or flickering car lights? There could be a fault with your car alternator
Average car alternator replacement cost: £275
The alternator is responsible for supplying electrical needs to a vehicle, when there is a problem with the alternator it begins to show through car features that use electricity.
One of the most common signs to watch out for is dimming and flickering headlights or an electric speedometer no longer working.
If your car temperature rises quickly and the ignition warning light comes this could be a warning sign that the belt that drives the alternator and water pump could have a fault.
In this case, you should not attempt to restart your vehicle.
6. Check for symptoms of a flat or faulty battery
Average new battery cost: £150
A flat or faulty battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns in the UK. There are several symptoms to watch out for if you think you have a flat or faulty car battery.
The average cost of a new car battery in the UK is £150. Below are some of the main and most common ones to check for:
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The engine takes longer to turn on and may make grinding noise
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Car features such as the radio and headlights won't turn on
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The car won't start when you turn the ignition on
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The battery warning light is illuminated on your dashboard
7. Check your tyre tread to avoid breaking the law
New tyre cost average: £79.00 (Based on Ford Fiesta)
It is a legal requirement in the UK that tyre tread depth for cars is at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. The tread must reach this minimum requirement across its complete circumference.
Otherwise, your vehicle will be deemed in a dangerous condition to drive and driving it in such a condition will be breaking the law.
Our research shows that a single new tyre for a Ford Fiesta, the most popular car in 2020, could cost anywhere from £42.00-£116.00.
The easiest way to check your tyre tread depth is with a 20p coin. Take the coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre.
If you can see the outer band on the coin, then your tyres could be below the legal limit and will require a professional to take a look at them.
