Seasonal vs routine maintenance

Lead in: Seasonal changes can have detrimental effects on your car's performance. To keep your vehicle in top shape, you need to combine specific seasonal maintenance steps with routine maintenance. Here's an elaboration on the difference, importance and elements of both types of maintenance.

Why undertake seasonal maintenance when I am getting my car serviced regularly? As a car owner, that is a valid question to ask. The answer to that is simply this: the varied Indian climatic seasons. From the scorching heat in summer, flooding rains in monsoon to ice-slicked roads in winter, your automobile undergoes a lot. You hence need to take specific steps to prepare your car for seasonal changes.

However, before that, you need to understand the difference between seasonal maintenance and routine maintenance. While routine maintenance is undertaken for the upkeep of your car in general, seasonal maintenance includes specific actions to be taken to prepare your car for the seasonal changes in road conditions.

Routine maintenance
Routine maintenance of your car includes general inspection at regular intervals. It also includes the periodic services you schedule at your car service centre or local garage. A few important routine car maintenance tips to be kept in mind are:

• The car battery should be checked for abrasion, corrosion or any other faults
• The engine oil and filters must be inspected regularly
• The level of brake and steering fluid should be monitored consistently
• The recommended tyre pressure must be maintained at all times
• The car's air filter should be clog-free for better engine performance
• The car's emission test must be conducted annually without fail

Seasonal maintenance
A change in seasons also warrants specific maintenance steps. Below, we elaborate on various maintenance steps to be taken in specific seasons.

Summer
According to maintenance tips given by experts, summer heat has a major effect on your car's tyres. The hot tar on roads adds to the heat created by the tyre-road friction, expanding the air within the tyre. Over-heating combined with over-inflation, especially on highways and during long journeys, may lead to explosion of tyres. To avoid such a situation, invest in a tyre pressure gauge to maintain the optimum tyre pressure. The soaring temperature in summer also warrants monitoring the condition of battery and fluid levels.

Monsoon
Care for cars in monsoon is vital, considering the heavy rainfalls our country experiences. Monsoon has a detrimental effect on the battery and engine due to wet road conditions. To avoid breakdowns, have both the components checked in a local car garage just at the start of the season. Wet road conditions also warrant qualitative tyres, which ensure a good grip on the road. Potholes and uneven road surface add to the wear and tear of your automobile. You would hence do well to drive carefully during heavy rains. Also ask your car service centre to ensure that the brakes and wind-shield wipers are fully functional.

Winter
Winter can severely affect the condition of windshield wipers, making them brittle. The wipers should hence be repaired or replaced at the onset of the season itself. In case of a considerable drop in temperature you need to ensure that your car's coolant does not freeze. Extra care also needs to be taken for battery and cables, as they corrode more in winter. In addition to these winter car maintenance tips, drive carefully, as roads in cooler areas are likely to be slick with ice, which may cause you to lose control of your car.

To keep your car well maintained, you need to combine routine maintenance with seasonal maintenance. So combine the above mentioned seasonal tips with your trips to your car service centre or garage.