While British Summer time isn’t always guaranteed to give us the best weather each day, we know it won’t stop British motorists from wanting to get out on the road! With our winding country roads, or our motorway journeys, you need to make sure that your car is ready for this hotter weather, not just for its performance and safety, but for your enjoyment too!
Here is a list of the key things that you should look at to get your car ready for this summer. If you are unsure of any element, then get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.
Your summer driving checklist:
Your Car Battery
Did your battery take a beating over winter? Did your car get left standing for a while? There is always a good chance that you may have lost some power from your battery. So you need to get it tested and possibly get it charged or replaced. If you’re not sure on how to do this, then let us help. We can sort you out with a fully charged, or new, battery in no time.
Check your fluids
Once you know the battery will start your car, you want to make sure that all your fluids are at a good level. Specifically here we are talking about:
Oil Check
Do you need an oil change? Do you need thicker oil for summer?
Maintenance of oil in your car's engine is imperative for good engine performance and longevity. It’s easy to check your oil - just park up on level ground, switch the engine off and allow it to cool for 30 mins and then check the dipstick. The oil dipstick will let you know if you need more oil or if you need to replace it. If you’re unsure how to read the dipstick or would like your oil checked, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
Coolant Check
Hotter days mean your car engine will be working harder. To keep things cool and working efficiently (and to stop the engine overheating) you need to make sure your coolant levels are up. Make sure the coolant in your overflow or radiator is full. Of course you can get in touch with us to check your coolant if you need to.
Brake Fluid Check
If you’re planning some nice long drives this summer, you need to make sure your brakes are up to the challenge! Ensure your brake fluid levels are correct so that there is no danger of not stopping in time. It’s worth having your brake pads and discs checked too, just to be safe. Visit our brakes service page to get in touch to see how we can help.
Windscreen Washer Fluid Check
Vision is key! With summer, we see lots of pollen, bugs and even recently, Saharan sand, get all over the windscreen. With the sun shining too, this can create glare and reduced visibility. Make sure your fluids are topped up so that you can easily clean your screen as you go.
It’s also worth checking your windscreen wipers also - the heat can make the rubber split and that can cause dragging across your screen or scratches to the glass.
Your Tyres
While most people don’t have summer tyres waiting in the garage to go on the car, it’s still worth checking your current set and making sure that they have the correct air pressure (you can check your handbook for this) as changes in weather can impact this. You also of course need to make sure the tread is still good on the tyres, for safety and performance. If you would like to get your tyres tested, please visit our tyres service page for more information.
Air Conditioning Unit
Naturally you will want to stay cool within your car, once the summer heat really hits (even in England!).
If your air conditioning unit is letting out a nasty smell, or you’re not sure it is working properly, you may need to have it topped up or checked. This is one of those decisions that can make driving in summer much more pleasant, for everyone in the car, so well worth reviewing just in case.
Clean Your Car
Your car is now ready inside and under the bonnet. So now it needs to look good for summer! A dirty car will never stand out under the summer sun, however a clean one will glisten!
Make sure you blast the undercarriage, to remove any salt or grime built up over winter, this will help reduce the chance of rusting and corrosion in the future.
Make sure you don’t clean your car in direct sunlight - this can create a game of chase you will never win! Trying to wash and dry the car before the sun dries any wet spots and leaves annoying water stain circles to remove. Be in the shade, make sure you thoroughly dry the car (with chamois or microfibre cloth) and ideally, use a wax. This not only makes rain dispersal over the car neater (and gives the beading effect) but does offer some protection to your car paint, against the sun.
Vehicle Inspection
If you don't feel able to do all these checks yourself, or would like to have your inspected for a general overview of safety and performance, you can of course book a vehicle inspection with us. Book your vehicle inspection today.
And you’re ready! Now you just need a sun hat and a destination! The last piece of advice for enjoying summer driving is to avoid roads populated with cars towing caravans. There is nothing we can do to help with that…
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