Summer Vehicle Checks 2021

Chances are this year we will all be enjoying a staycation in the UK, meaning many of us will be on the roads whether that is for a day trip to the seaside or a week away. Sadly, more tyre-related incidents happen on Britain’s roads during the summer months than at any other time of year. To keep your risks to a minimum, it is important that you check your vehicle before you set off.

So, what summer car checks should you make sure to carry out?

Tyre Checks:
Check your tyres‘ pressures and condition. Have a look at the tread depth, remove any stones lodged in the tread and check for any cuts or bulges. If you are not sure what to look for, take advantage of our FREE tyre checks. If required, we will adjust your tyre pressures for you FREE of charge as well.

Battery Checks:
Hot weather can be harder on your car battery than cold weather! The high temperatures which build up under the bonnet of your car can accelerate corrosion and reduce battery life. As most batteries today are sealed units, the things to look for are corrosion around the battery terminals and in extreme cases the battery case swelling. With our testing equipment we can check the electrical condition of your battery for FREE and your vehicles alternator, which charges your battery while driving.

Brakes Check:
Check the brake fluid level and do a visual check of the brake pads. Low brake fluid will indicate the brake pads and brake shoes are getting worn. If you are not sure what to look for, bring your car to us for a FREE brake check.

Air Conditioning Checks:
An air condition service needs to be carried out every 1 – 2 years. Check the gas pressure and compressor oil levels. The last thing you want is your air conditioning breaking down on a hot day! We offer an Air Conditioning Recharge Service at Bush Tyres – Spalding, Hi-Q – Hull, Endyke Tyres – Hull and Bush Tyres – Norwich, but you can also contact your nearest centre for advice on where to go locally to have your vehicles air conditioning checked.

Windscreen wipers Checks:
Check the condition of your windscreen wipers. We all know that sometimes it rains in summer in the UK and when driving in hot weather there are also insects and bugs that will require cleaning off your windscreen while you are driving. Always use your screen washers to remove bugs and insects from the windscreen as a dry wiper blade could tear and the metal components in the exposed wiper blade could end up scratching the windscreen.

Vehicles Fluid Level Checks:
Make sure to top up your car’s fluid levels, where required using the recommended oils, screen wash or coolant. Your engine is under more stress in the heat of summer due to excessive heat. Making sure your engine oil is at the maximum level will protect your engine and can aid in its cooling too. Make sure your coolant bottle is topped up to the maximum mark and not the maximum level the coolant bottle will hold. Hot water expands and the coolant filler bottle acts as an overflow when the coolant fluid expands in the system.

Check the air filters:
Air Filters can get clogged up with dust. The drier weather increases the chances of dust blocking your vehicles air filters. If your engine air filter becomes blocked your vehicle could become less economical or even loose power.

Emergency items for your car:
Last but not least, though easily over-looked, make sure you’re ready in case of an emergency. Make sure you have bulbs, a reflective vest, fuses and a reflective roadside triangle. Hopefully you will never need these but if your vehicles lights fail at night, you could be stuck just for the sake of a couple of light bulbs or a fuse. Day or night, if you are changing a spare wheel on the roadside for example, it is safer to warn oncoming traffic your vehicle is broken down by placing the reflective triangle towards on-coming traffic and wearing a reflective vest/jacket makes sure the on-coming traffic sees you at all times.

Make sure to stock your car with filled water bottles, charged torches and a full first aid box. Hopefully you will never need them in an emergency but if you do you will be glad you had them.

As mentioned above, at Bush we offer a range of FREE summer vehicle checks so that you can make sure your vehicle will be running in tip-top condition as you set off on your holiday! "As we enter the summer months and the weather starts to warm up, it is important that everyone checks their vehicles and tyres are ready for warmer weather and longer journeys, especially with so many people likely to holiday in the UK this year. That is why we offer free vehicle checks to make sure vehicles are summer ready" – Ben Bush. We have branches across the East of England and don’t forget, we also offer a Mobile Fitting Service should you need it!

If you would like to take advantage of our FREE summer vehicle checks, call into your local Bush Tyres, click below to find your local branch: