It’s that time of year when the weather is starting to improve. With more sunshine as summer approaches, it’s only natural to want to take advantage of the good temperatures and take your loved ones for a long drive, head over somewhere quaint for the weekend or have a full-blown holiday in the country.
Naturally, your car has to be in great working order for this. The last thing you want is a preventable issue to stop you in your tracks as you’re driving along a country road with no help in sight. This is why we’ve prepared a list of tips you can follow and things you can do yourself to get your car summer-ready.
Keep reading to discover top tips for a smooth journey this summer.
Tips to prepare your car for summer
And now, without further ado, we share our top self-check tips that you can follow to get your car ready for any journey this summer.
- MOT: First things first, your Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate. Make sure that your MOT is valid and if it isn’t, you can take it to your friendly, local MOT centre at Duke Street Motors to see if there are any obstacles in your way going on that journey of yours
- Tyres: You will want to check that your tyres are in good shape, too. Check which year they are and replace them if they are winter tyres. If your summer tyres are on already, check their pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions (you should see this information either in the owner’s manual or on the door of the car). Next, check tread depth to ensure your tyres grip to the road well and to prevent skidding in the event of abrupt breaking.
- Battery: Car batteries can leak and may need to be refilled (if serviceable). Make sure you check your battery is in good working order and if not, be sure to add distilled water (if you are not sure how to do that, turn to a specialist).
- Air conditioning: Air conditioners (AC) are a vital component of a pleasant journey, keeping the heat out of your car and the interior cool. If your AC is not cooling enough, there might be a problem. It could be related to a leak or to something more serious. This would be a sign you need to have your AC checked by a specialist. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning AC in the middle of a hot drive.
- Fluid levels: This one is quite easy to check and do yourself — checking the fluid levels in your vehicle. But what should you check? Our suggestion is to look at your engine oil, coolant and wiper fluids and top them up as necessary.
- Lights functionality: Your lights will guide your journey, especially if you are driving at night. Firstly, they all need to work as intended. And secondly, they need to be cleaned so that they aren’t dim and create poor visibility.
- Wiper blades: The UK is notorious for its rains. You never know when or where it might start pouring. And if you’re on the road when this happens, your wiper blades need to work. Before you set off on your trip, be sure to check the wipers for any cracks or tears. Test them to see if they make a scraping sound against the windshield and if they remove water well. If not, you might need to have them replaced.
- Emergency kit: It’s always a good idea to be well-prepared for emergencies. So, check the emergency kit in your boot and do the necessary top-ups in case any item is running low. Always have a spare bottle of water there just in case.
- Sun protection: Wondering “how can I make my car cool in the summer”, here’s our suggestion: When your car is not being driven during summer, you still need to keep the interior cool to create a pleasant interior temperature. For this reason, use a sun shield on your windscreen and roll-up or stick-on sun shields for the back seat windows. This is especially useful if you have young children sitting at the back who will be shielded from the harsh rays of the sun. As for whether you should leave car windows open when it’s hot, we recommend keeping the windows slightly open when the car is parked and using your AC to keep the car cool during the journey itself.
- An overall clean: Lastly, give your car a good clean both on the inside and the outside. This will create a pleasant driving environment. When it comes to giving your car a clean on the exterior, consider giving it a good wax. This will prevent dirt and dust from settling there and from damaging the paintwork of your car.
Your turn now
And there you have it: a few quick and easy tips to keep your car cool in the summer and ready for your next road trip. But if you don’t have the time or inclination to go through these self-checks yourself, there’s always a helping hand you can rely on.
At Duke Street Motors, you can count on our expertise and experience to get your car summer and trip-ready with specialist assistance. Reach out to us today and enjoy full confidence in the condition of your vehicle on your journey this summer.