How to prepare your car for the summer holidays

The advent of a summer usually means a lot more donkey work our cars, as Bank Holidays and summer jaunts take their toll in the shape of long drives in hot conditions.

A car that has had a quiet winter with short trips can struggle when having to cope with long journeys, worn tyres and a flogged aircon unit, so the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) has come up with a list of summer checks to make sure your car is suitably prepared the warm weather.

Air conditioning

Hot weather can put extra strain on the engine and cooling system of any vehicle, and can lead to overheating

• Many cars have air-conditioning which may require specialist attention if the system has been under-used during the preceding winter months.

• The electrical system, especially the battery, must be able to take the full brunt of the fan system at full blast on its coolest setting.

• Make sure your system is fully charged with refrigerant and that any changes are done in line with the car manufacturer’s instructions.

• Anti-freeze becomes very corrosive when it reaches the end of its lifespan, you should have the coolant tested and the cooling system ‘flushed,’ and replenished should it be needed. Cooling hoses and drive belts should be checked as well to avoid roadside failures.

Tyres

Tyres can become neglected over the winter months, so special attention must be given to ensure tyres are capable of coping with long cruises.

Tread depth and tyre pressure should be examined prior to long journeys.

The legal requirement for tyre tread depth is at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference.

• Long road trips with heavier-than-normal loads and very warm temperatures can stress tyres.

• Tracks could have appeared over the winter. These in turn can be aggravated by hitting a pot-hole or knocking the curb when parking. If cuts are made in the tyre wall, the tyre can be weakened, making it dangerous. This could necessitate a replacement tyre

• Make sure you have the recommended pressure in all your tyres including the one you should store in your boot for emergencies

• In the event that you need to use the spare, make sure that the pressure is set to the highest level used on your car, so that you can deflate the tyre to the required pressure. It is advisable to check this with a gauge as soon as possible.

• It is vital not to over or under-inflate your tyres as this may cause the car to handle and brake badly, it can also cause uneven wear.

• Have wheel alignment and tracking checked at least once a year to try and ensure even tyre wear.

Windscreens

Basic tips for a clean windscreen include:

• Check front and rear blades for wear. If you do a great deal of driving, they may need replacing quite frequently.

• Blades should be cleaned regularly to remove ground-in dirt and insects etc. This helps to prevent damage.

• Streaky screens can be caused by the rubber losing its effectiveness. If this occurs the blades must be replaced.

• Check the angle of the wiper arms - worn pins will spoil their action.

• Check washer bottle levels. Add screen wash and dilute according to instructions. Always keep spare fluid in the boot. Ensure that the washer spray holes are clear of blockages.

• Insects and grit can be easily removed with a sponge and warm water. For more stubborn dirt, use a screen clean paste to tackle the job effectively but do not use the same cleaning cloths that you have used for the car bodywork on the windscreen - they may leave contaminants on its surface.

• Wheel arches should also be checked for dried-on dirt.

Before and during a journey

• Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before a journey. If you can, avoid long journeys between midnight and 6 am when your alertness is likely to be at a minimum. A heavy meal before driving is not advisable, as it may induce drowsiness.

• A break every two hours is recommended, but if you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place such as a service area. Take a nap or drink some strong coffee remember that traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads. You have less time to react, so use your mirrors continuously, watch your distances and look much further ahead.

• Heavy summer traffic can delay your journey; so make sure passengers have drinks and snacks to hand. Avoid distractions as taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can increase the risk of accidents.

• Try to keep children occupied with games, books etc

Driving abroad

• Many motorists will be taking their cars overseas in the coming months, or hiring a vehicle once they arrive at their holiday destination. General guidelines can be obtained from organisations such as the RAC and the AA. Other tips for driving abroad include: • Take extra time to familiarise yourself with the routes you will be using. • Observe normal road courtesies • Inform your insurance company if you intend to drive your own car abroad.

Breakdowns

Information on driving abroad is available at driving.drive- alive.co.uk.

Servicing

The RMIF recommends that drivers requiring professional help use an RMIF member.

Mike Owen, head of operations for the RMIF explains: “Businesses that belong to the RMIF are bound by the conditions of their membership to provide a good service to their customers.

“When having a service or any form of work carried out on your car use a reputable garage, be it the dealer who sold you the car or, a local independent garage. If the supplying garage is too far away for such jobs, a local RMIF member would be happy to support you with service.”

To find a garage that is a member of the RMIF, visit www.rmif.co.uk and use the ‘Find a Service’ function, or call the RMIF Consumer Motorline - 08457 58 53 50.

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