Summer Car Care: Protect Your Car in Mauritius' Heat

Mauritius' summer heat and the salt in the coastal air wear cars faster. Run through this checklist a few times over the season and you will avoid the breakdowns that heat loves to cause.

Fluids and oil

Check the engine oil; heat and short trips break it down faster.
Top up the coolant to protect against overheating.
Don't forget brake fluid and the windscreen washer bottle.

Air filter

Dry, dusty conditions clog filters quickly.
A clean filter helps the engine breathe and run efficiently.
Replace it if it looks grey and caked.

Tyres

Check pressures regularly; heat changes them.
Look for cracks, uneven wear and low tread.
Don't forget the spare.

Wipers and glass

Sun dries and hardens wiper rubber.
Replace blades that smear before the summer downpours arrive.
Keep the washer bottle topped up.

Air-conditioning

Have it checked if it is not blowing cold.
Low gas or a dirty cabin filter kills performance.
A quick service beats sweating through traffic.

Battery

Heat ages batteries faster than cold does.
Clean the terminals and check the battery is mounted tight.
Test the voltage if starting feels slow.

The bottom line

Twenty minutes of checks now saves a roadside wait later.