5 April 2025 Concept Car
The hot weather has finally made an appearance in the UK.
Your first thought is probably stocking up on sun cream and planning trips away, but it’s important not to neglect your car when the temperature rises.
Here are our top tips on how to keep your car in tip-top condition in the summer heat.
From topping up power steering fluid to making sure to tighten loose connections, there is a long list of things to double-check on your car as often as you can.
But here are your top priorities for summer.
Being stuck in your car in the warm weather is probably not how you want to spend your days.
Your air conditioning system has a vital job when you’re having fun in the sun – not only to keep you cool, but to maintain your car’s temperature too.
A common cause of cars malfunctioning is overheating, which is caused when the air conditioning unit runs out of refrigerant. It’s advised you get your air filter checked on the countdown to the warmer months, so you can be worry-free and a comfortable temperature even in the baking sun.
You should be checking your oil levels regularly to ensure your car is running cleanly, smoothly, and not at risk of overheating.
You should be changing your oil and oil filter every 3,000 – 7,500 miles. But, as part of your summer car maintenance, it’s important to be a bit more vigilant than you normally are to limit overheating.
To check your oil level, let your car run for a few minutes before parking it on a flat surface and shutting off the engine. Pop the bonnet and find your dipstick to check you have enough oil. You should also have a look at the colour of your oil – it should be a brownish yellow and not cling to the stick. If it’s on the darker side and thicker in texture, it’s probably a sign you need an oil change and filter replacement.
While you might not be batting off rain as much in the summer months, your wiper blades still need to be in good nick before heading to the beach – don’t forget to fill up your windscreen washer bottle too!
You might have experienced a harsh winter with all kinds of nasty weather conditions.
But why has this got anything to do with summer maintenance?
It means your wiper blades have probably gone through it and either need a good clean or replacing altogether, so you can easily swipe off the sand or fallen blossom when the weather picks up.
You can replace them yourself or go to your local garage to do it for you.
Like all components of a car, your brakes and everything to do with them should be looked over as often as you can. But, if you’re taking a trip to your summer house, driving to the airport, or embarking on an adventure and taking a longer trip, brakes are important.
You’ll need a replacement (or at least a check-up) if:
If something isn’t quite right, take your car in to get your brake pads and brake fluid checked over so you don’t run into any issues.
Car batteries are the driving force of a car, with winter being the most common time for them to give in. However, hot weather can also put strain on your battery, speeding up chemical reactions and overcharging the source, shortening the lifespan by evaporating the internal battery fluid.
Once winter has come to an end, give your car battery a deep clean by detaching the cables and wiping all terminals. Make sure to strap it back into position tightly to keep it secure.
The hotter the roads, the higher your tyre pressure. If your tyres aren’t at the correct pressure and the tread depth is insufficient, it’s time to pump them up or get them replaced to avoid accidents.
And, if you’re travelling far, don’t forget your spare tyre.
Let’s face it…the UK’s version of extreme heat is anything about 25°, but the change can still put pressure on your car.
Follow this tick list, pack your sunglasses, don’t forget the emergency first aid kit for any excitement-related incidents, and you’ll be good to go.
Keep an eye on our blog for more ways to keep your car in mint condition, all year round.
5 April 2025 Concept Car
