Most motorists believe winter is a time when they need to take extra care on the roads due to adverse weather conditions – but National Windscreens is warning that the summer also creates a series of hazards that motorists need to plan for.
To help motorists stay on the road, National Windscreens has produced a list of “Do’s and Don’t’s” for the hot weather.
Pete Marsden, managing director of National Windscreens, says: “The summer months can be very hazardous for motorists, from sun glare to rising temperatures exacerbating faults in the vehicle. We always recommend that motorists regularly check for small chips or damage to the glass because it is far cheaper to repair a chip than it is to replace a windscreen. In fact, a repair can often be done for free, depending on your insurance cover.”
As the UK’s largest independently owned windscreen repair and replacement company, National Windscreens has a network of 108 fitting and calibration centres meaning that, on average, a motorist will never be more than 20 minutes or 11 miles away from a technician, wherever you are travelling in the UK this summer. As members of Automotive Glass Europe, the organisation is also able to provide customers with a seamless service across Europe, accessed with just one call to its UK contact centre.
National Windscreens recommends the following top tips for your vehicle and its windscreen this summer:
Do:
- ensure wiper blades are in good condition and clean to prevent any scratches to the glass. This is particularly important when clearing away any dirt or dust.
- check vehicle glass for any chips and arrange any necessary repair as a rise in temperature can quickly turn a small chip into large crack.
- check for stone chip damage which can threaten an MOT test if it is in the line of sight zone.
- have quality sunglasses ready to cope with the sun’s glare – particularly at dawn and dusk.
- check the oil and coolant levels regularly to avoid the car or vehicle from overheating particularly during traffic delays at holiday hotspots.
Don’t:
- start any long journey without basic vehicle checks and supplies such as water, particularly if travelling during a heatwave.
- leave your vehicle unattended while relying on the air conditioning system to cool it down.
- ignore any small windscreen chips – the warmer weather causes the glass to expand and it is likely to result in a larger crack.
- drive when tired – the warmer weather can always make us feel that bit drowsier, so make sure you feel awake and alert before you get behind the wheel and take regular breaks.
National Windscreens offers a free windscreen check service designed to highlight potential MOT failure. Just call in to any of the 108 fitting and calibration centres across the UK.