From Cronulla and Wanda to Bundeena and the beaches of the Royal National Park, summer in the Shire means plenty of trips to the coast. Salt air, sand and hot car parks are hard on your car, but a few simple habits keep it in good shape. Here’s what our team at Sutherland Automotive in Kirrawee recommends.
Salt Air and Your Car’s Paint
Wash Off the Salt
Salt spray settles on paint, glass and chrome and speeds up corrosion, especially on stone chips. Give the car a rinse after beach trips, including the wheel arches, and wash it properly every couple of weeks over summer.
Protect the Finish
A coat of wax or sealant helps salt and bird droppings wash off more easily. Park in the shade where you can, as UV fades paint and dries out rubber seals.
Sand in the Cabin
Sand gets everywhere: carpets, seat rails and the seatbelt mechanisms. Shake out mats before you get in, keep a towel on the seats and vacuum regularly. Sand in a seatbelt buckle can stop it latching properly, so give buckles a quick check.
Keep the Air Con Working
Hot days on The Kingsway and queues for beach parking are when you’ll notice a weak air con system. If it takes a long time to cool down, blows warm air or smells musty, it may need a re-gas or a clean. Learn more about our air conditioning service.
Not sure if your car is ready for summer? Book a check online with the team at Sutherland Automotive. We’ll explain what we find before any work starts.
Underneath the Car
Underbody and Suspension
Sandy car parks, speed humps and unsealed tracks to the beach put strain on suspension and steering parts, and salty water can collect underneath. If you notice knocking over bumps, uneven tyre wear or the car wandering, book a steering and suspension check.
Tyres
Hot roads raise tyre pressures and soft beach-side kerbs can damage sidewalls. Check pressures when the tyres are cold and look for cuts or bulges.
Cooling System and Battery
Long, slow traffic home from the beach on a 35-degree day tests your cooling system. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank with the engine cold, and watch the temperature gauge. Heat also shortens battery life, so have an older battery tested before you’re stuck in a hot car park.
Your Summer Car Care Checklist
- Rinse off salt after beach trips, including under the wheel arches.
- Vacuum sand from the cabin and check seatbelt buckles.
- Check tyre pressures and tread.
- Keep the air con serviced.
- Watch the temperature gauge in summer traffic.
- Keep your logbook service up to date to protect your warranty.
What Our Summer Check Covers
When you book a summer check at Sutherland Automotive, we put the car on the hoist and look at the parts that beach season is hardest on. We check the underbody and suspension for corrosion and wear, inspect tyre tread, pressures and sidewalls, and look at brake pads, discs and fluid. We test the battery and charging system, look over the cooling system, hoses and belts, and check the air conditioning is cooling properly.
If we find something, we’ll show you, explain how urgent it is and give you a clear choice before any work starts. We keep you updated by text with photos as we go, so you always know what is happening with your car.
Boats, Trailers and Roof Racks
Plenty of Shire drivers tow a boat or carry boards and kayaks in summer. Rinse the towbar and trailer after launching in salt water, check the trailer lights and wheel bearings, and stay within your car’s towing and roof load limits. Let us know when you book if you tow, and we’ll give the brakes and cooling system extra attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my car if I live near the beach? Rinse it after beach trips and wash it properly every two weeks or so over summer.
Can sand damage my car’s interior? Yes. It wears carpets and can stop seatbelt buckles and seat rails working smoothly.
Does salt air really cause rust? It speeds up corrosion, especially where paint is chipped. Regular washing and touching up chips helps.
Ready for beach season? Book a summer check with the team at Sutherland Automotive, 42B Flora St, Kirrawee. We’ll explain what we find before any work starts.
Book online · Call (02) 9545 3051
