ESSENTIAL MIDSUMMER CAR CHECKS

From engines to interiors, here’s how to shield your car through the UAE’s harshest stretch of summer

- BY SONY THOMAS Special To Gulf News

The UAE has just emerged from Waghrat Al Mirzam — the fiercest phase of summer, heralded by the rising of the Mirzam star and notorious for baking even the hardiest machinery. For motorists, it serves as a sharp reminder of the silent torture our vehicles endure beneath this relentless sun. Midsummer here isn’t just hot — it’s punishing — and few things take the beating more brutally than our cars. Now is the time to step in, get proactive, and ensure your vehicle is ready for the final stretch before the heat finally begins to ease.

COOLING SYSTEM

Your engine — a chamber of moving metal parts and controlled combustion — is locked in a constant battle against the desert heat. At this time of year, the coolant system is the engine’s biggest armour. Keep levels topped up and confirm the mix hasn’t been watered down by repeated top-ups. Inspect the radiator cap, hoses and seals; brittle rubber or tiny leaks can spell disaster. If your car is more than three years old, consider a coolant flush and refill — a relatively cheap procedure that can save you from a much bigger bill and headache later.

AIR-CONDITIONING