Summer Car Care Tips - Keeping Your Used Car Running Right This Summer
Warmer weather and longer trips mean your car works a bit differently than it does in winter. These summer car care tips from Motor City Plymouth cover the simple checks worth doing now, before you head off on your next family day out or summer holiday.
Why Summer Puts Extra Strain on Your Car
Hot weather, longer motorway journeys, and a fully loaded boot all put different demands on your car than the colder months do. Tyres run hotter, fluids work harder, and your air con gets used far more often. None of this needs a garage visit on its own — but a quick once-over now can save you a headache later.
Check Your Tyres Before Long Journeys
Tyre pressure changes with temperature, so it's best to check when your tyres are cold, ideally first thing in the morning.
Under-inflated tyres wear faster and cost you more in fuel
They also affect your grip, especially with a full car packed for a summer trip
While you're there, have a quick look at tread depth and check for any uneven wear
It only takes a few minutes and is one of the easiest ways to stay safe on longer drives.
Keep an Eye on Coolant Levels
Coolant stops your engine overheating, and it matters more when the weather warms up and you're stuck in stop-start traffic.
Checking the level is something most drivers can do themselves, as long as the engine is cold. Simply open the bonnet, find the coolant reservoir, and check it sits between the minimum and maximum markers.
If you find yourself topping it up regularly, that's worth getting looked at rather than just topping up each time.
Air Con Working Harder in the Heat
Air con naturally loses a little effectiveness over time, so if it's blowing less cold than it used to, now's a good time to get it checked. It's a quick job that makes a real difference on a hot motorway drive.
Battery Health in Warm Weather
It might seem surprising, but heat is actually harder on batteries than cold, particularly if yours is a little older. Watch out for slow starting or lights that seem dimmer than usual. A quick battery check is one of the simplest car maintenance tips for summer, and it's well worth doing before setting off on a long trip.
Don't Forget Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid
Sun and heat gradually dry out and crack wiper blades over time, even if you're not using them as much as in winter.
Summer also brings its own mess — dust, pollen, and bugs that build up on your windscreen. Checking your wiper blades and topping up washer fluid is a quick, cheap part of general car care in summer, and easy to do before any trip.
Get Ready for Summer Journeys
Before a longer drive, it's worth checking your oil level and screen wash, and packing a basic emergency kit — water and a phone charger are a good start. These simple car tips for summer are easy to fold into your pre-trip routine, and a check at a garage can also catch small issues before they turn into bigger ones out on the road.
Summer Car Care at Motor City Plymouth
If you'd rather leave the checks to us, our onsite MOT and service centre can take care of it all in one visit. Every car that comes through gets a thorough 69-point safety check, and our free 6-monthly health check is a great way to catch tyre, coolant, battery, or air con issues before they cause problems on the road.
Feel free to book a service or get in touch with any questions. You can also browse our reviews to see what other customers say about our service.