8 Expert Car Maintenance Tips for Dubai’s Summer Season

You cannot underestimate the havoc caused by hot temperatures on your car’s air conditioning system up to its engine oil. It is essential to have a complete car maintenance schedule. Here in Dubai, maintaining your car is not all about being comfortable but is completely necessary for its well-being because the weather tends to be very tough on them.

If you maintain your car well, it will handle the heat better and will be less likely to break down when you most need it. Taking it for regular checks will prevent minor problems from becoming major expensive ones. You don’t have to be a technician, but some knowledge of automotive basics can go a long way. With the right know-how and care, your car can stay in top shape all summer, no matter how hot it gets outside.

Let’s get started – 

1. Top Up Your Fluids

Dubai’s hot summers make it super important to keep your car’s fluids topped up. This helps your car run better and last longer. Here’s what you need to watch:

Engine Oil Check

Engine oil levels need regular checks in hot weather. High temps can make oil disappear or get thin faster. You should look at your dipstick often and add oil when needed. This keeps your engine parts slippery and stops them from breaking. Oil change service is also super important. They help your engine stay cool, lubricated, and clean by stopping gunk from building up.

Checking Coolant Levels

Your car’s cooling system needs the right mix of coolant and water. This mix helps move heat away from the engine. It stops the engine from getting too hot. Check your coolant levels often. Make sure you have enough coolant. Also, check that the mix is right. This way, your car can handle hot or cold weather.

Taking Care of Brake Fluid

Brake fluid requires regular inspection because it absorbs water, which can make it less effective and cause rust in your brakes. The owner’s manual tells you when to check brake fluid in ABS-equipped vehicles. Non-ABS systems might need new fluid each time you replace the brakes. Make sure you have enough brake fluid and it’s not too dark. The dark fluid is old and needs replacing. These checks help keep your brakes working well and safe.

This car maintenance tip can help your car run perfectly and protect it from expensive fixes.

2. Cooling System Check

Looking at the Radiator

Checking your radiator is key when your car heats up or shows overheating signs. Look under the hood for colored liquid leaks. These leaks might mean you need to flush the radiator. The radiator cools the engine. It’s the main part of the cooling system. Check if dirt or debris clogs it. You can clean these off with a brush and hose.

Looking at Coolant Hoses

You need to check coolant hoses often to stop leaks that can make your car too hot. Look at the hoses for any bad spots like cracks or breaks. If they feel soft or look puffy, you have to replace them fast. This keeps your cooling system working right.

Clean Out and Fill Up Coolant

Switching out engine coolant makes a big difference. Most car makers say you should change your radiator fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 miles or every 2 to 3 years. This depends on how you drive and the usual temperatures you encounter. The process has an impact on the engine’s health. Have your coolant checked at a garage, and they will drain the old stuff, clean the system with a special solution to get rid of gunk, and put in the fresh coolant. This upkeep stops the radiator from getting clogged and keeps the engine running at the right temperature.

3. Battery Car Maintenance

Battery Upkeep and Checkups

You need to check and take care of your car battery often when Dubai gets super hot in the summer. Here’s how to keep your battery working great:

Clean Battery Ends

To avoid your car not starting, you should look at your battery ends often. Check for white stuff growing on them and make sure they’re not loose. You can scrub off the white stuff with a special brush, and tighten any loose parts. This easy job helps your car start better and makes all the electric stuff work right.

Test How Charged It Is

The battery charge in your car tells you a lot about how well it’s doing. You should check the voltage often with a multimeter. If you keep seeing readings under 12.2 volts, get it checked at a reliable car repair workshop. To keep your battery charged up right, drive your car and use good charging methods. One good way is to use an automatic charger that stops charging when the battery gets full.

How to Replace Your Battery

Picking a good battery for your car matters a lot in Dubai’s hot weather. AGM batteries work better than regular ones in high heat and when they get drained a lot. They can handle tough conditions better. Before you perform car battery replacement, look at your car’s manual. Also, talk to a mechanic who knows what they’re doing. They’ll make sure you get one that fits right. This is important for newer cars. Some of them need the battery to be set up in a special way. If it’s not done right, it might not charge or work as well as it should.

Checking your battery’s fluid levels, keeping it clean, and charging it right will make it last longer and stop common problems that come with hot weather.

4. Look at Your Tires

Keeping your tires inflated is super important in Dubai’s hot summers when the heat can mess with tire pressure. To keep your tires in good shape most passenger cars need between 32 and 35 PSI, but this can be different depending on what your car’s tire placard says. The heat has a big impact on tire pressure, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on it during the summer months.

Correct tire pressure helps your car save gas, handle better, and keep tires lasting longer. If you pump too much air, less tire touches the road. This wears tires out faster. Not enough air means more tires on the road. Your car uses more gas and tires wear out quicker.

When to Rotate Tires

Tire rotation around every 5,000 to 8,000 miles helps tires wear and last longer. This keeps your car stable and safe to drive. Ensure you follow the pattern the manufacturer recommends to get the best performance and life out of your tires.

Keeping an eye on tire pressure and condition is super important for safe driving in Dubai’s hot weather. Regular checks and upkeep can stop common tire problems and make your ride smoother and safer. It’s a good idea to check your tires often to avoid any issues on the road.

5. Car AC Maintenance

AC Refrigerant Level Check

Your car’s AC refrigerant levels need regular checks, another vital thing in Dubai’s hot summers. When the refrigerant runs low, your AC won’t cool as well. Your car might feel like an oven! Most car companies say you should re-gas your AC every year or two. This ensures your vehicle AC keeps working optimally.

AC Performance Test

A performance test on your AC system helps spot problems like leaks or poor cooling. Leak tests find issues in tubes or seals, which we can fix to get your AC working right again. This keeps the air in your car cool and fresh.

Changing Your AC Filter

Swapping out AC filters is a crucial upkeep job you shouldn’t ignore. Filters get gunked up with dust and junk over time in Dubai’s dusty surroundings. 

This cuts down on your AC’s overall air quality and how well it works. It’s a smart move to pop in new AC filters whenever you get your car serviced. This keeps the air flowing clean and smooth inside your ride.

6. Brake System

Checking How Worn Down the Brake Pads Are

Brake pads play a key role in keeping your car safe during different terrains. You need to check them often because they wear out as you drive. If you hear squealing noises or notice decreased brake responsiveness, it might be time for a replacement.

Brake Fluid Level Inspection

It is important to keep the right levels of brake fluid for effective braking. Regularly, the brake fluid should be inspected to make sure that it is the same. 

When the brakes seem soft or low on the pedal, there is a high likelihood that there is either too little brake fluid in the system or a degraded one which calls for immediate attention and possibly replacement of the fluid.

Brake Rotor Condition Assessment

To make the brakes of your automobile work effectively, you need to consider the state of your brake rotors. Having a glimpse at the edge of the rotor, one can find some cracks or grooves that might call for replacement. 

It is recommended that during routine checks, visual inspection should focus on the above-mentioned aspects alongside any kind of irregularities in patterns that may lead to poor brake system performance.

7. Windshield Wiper and Washer Fluid Check

Wiper Blade Inspection

It’s crucial to ensure that your wiper blades are in good condition to maintain visibility. Regular wiper blade observation eliminates sudden visibility questions that might be undertaken in showers of summer, and if they show signs of wear and tear, have them replaced.

Washer Fluid Top-up

Keeping the washer fluid level at the recommended point is essential for windshield cleaning to work well. 

Before summer approaches, you should always remember to refill the washer fluid. Use a fluid that reduces foam while cleaning for improved efficiency and to avoid streaks during no visibility.

Wiper Performance Test

Check the wiper performance after you have refilled the washer fluid. The test ensures that the fluid on the windshield reaches the windshield while at the same time clearing the glass by wiper without leaving trail marks.

8. Belt and Hose Examination

Drive Belt Inspection

While inspecting the drive belts, it is important to look for any unusual signs of wear or damage that may indicate problems with the drive itself. The most important observations that should be kept in mind are those concerning any cracks on the belts, torn edges, as well as signs of unusual wear patterns at specific points. A close look should be taken at how tight these belts are because too much slack can result in several issues.

Coolant Hose Check

To carry out a coolant hose inspection, one should search for any leaks or damages that can reduce the cooling system efficiency. It should be noted that there should be no cracks, brittleness, or any form of wear in these pipes which may cause overheating. 

To prevent these cases from happening again, regular analysis should be made of the car’s cooling system.

Stay On Top Of Your Car Maintenance

As opposed to just comfort, your vehicle’s safety and longevity are also affected by its proper upkeep in the harsh climate of Dubai. This will help you avoid spending money on expensive repairs and also extend the life of your car. Just like conducting self-assessments regularly is critical, knowing the right time for professional intervention ensures that your car remains dependable, secure, and easy to drive amidst hot summer days.

For those seeking expert car repair and car maintenance services in Dubai, Munich Motor Works stands out as a reliable option We offer 360° car care services that suit the demands of the Emirates’ weather. We have car care and repair professionals on board who understand how to deal with common problems associated with high temperatures including – damaged batteries due to overheating, failures in coolant systems owing to overworking, and failures in air-conditioning systems brought about by extended usage hours.

Visit us directly or give us a call at +97143474666 to schedule an appointment.

FAQs

How should you care for your car tires during the UAE’s summer?

To maintain your car tires in the summer, follow these tips: regularly check for blisters and bulges, monitor tire pressure frequently, avoid carrying extra weight, take shorter trips to minimize heat buildup, avoid over speeding to reduce wear and tear, and clean your tires daily.

How long do tires typically last during the UAE summer?

Tire longevity can vary, but frequent checks for wear and damage are crucial due to the harsh summer conditions in the UAE.

How can you tell if a tire is at risk of bursting?

Signs that a tire might burst include visible blisters, bulges, or deep cracks in the sidewall, as well as unusual vibrations or thumping sounds while driving.

What is the most common car maintenance task?

The most frequent car maintenance task is changing the oil and oil filter. This is essential for maintaining good engine health and should be done approximately frequently or every 3000 miles, depending on the vehicle and type of oil used.

What car maintenance tasks should be performed annually?

Annual car maintenance should include a tune-up and the replacement of consumables such as motor oil, radiator coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, wiper blades, and brake pads to ensure optimal vehicle performance and safety.