Summer Staycation Checks You Can Do Yourself

Imagine this, you are about to go on holiday by car, at all effects a staycation, and it will take longer than a few hours to reach your holiday destination. What to do, then? It’s important to make sure that your car is absolutely fine before embarking on a longer journey, as the last thing you want, once in holiday mode, is to call your breakdown service company.

In this article we have compiled a list of things you should check in your car before setting off.

Tyres

During summer there is three times the possibility of breaking down; don’t become a statistic. We recommend looking at your tyres for any bumps, cracks, or lumps. If you notice any, visit your closest Perrys and we’ll be happy to help and advise you.

Make sure to account for the additional weight and correct tyre pressure (you’ll be able to check this on your user manual, on the driver’s door sill or your fuel tank flap).

Also, when it comes to tread, the legal minimum in the UK for vehicles under 3.5 tons is 1.6; this applies to summer, winter and all seasons’ tyres. If that minimum is exceeded, your car will not only fail its MOT, but you may also risk getting fined if stopped by the police. Read our article here to learn how to find out your tyre tread. We recommend checking your tyres every other month to ensure that when you drop below 2mm, you can have them looked at and changed by one of our workshops. Tyre safety is very important to avoid any accidents.

Brakes

Before going on holiday check your brake fluid level and visually inspect your brake pads. A decrease in brake fluid could indicate that your brake pads are becoming worn out, so be on the lookout for this.

Air Conditioning

Generally speaking, every couple of years you should get you’re A/C serviced. Imagine if you’re travelling through a heat wave and your air conditioning isn’t working, it would be everyone’s biggest nightmare. Keep on top of servicing and you should be absolutely fine.

Battery

Some people are not aware that warm weather can have a more detrimental impact on your car’s battery than cold weather. High temperatures quicken the corrosion process and can lead to a decrease in your battery's lifespan. It's important to be on the lookout for signs such as corrosion around your battery’s terminals and swelling around your battery case..

Windscreen wipers:

Wipers are crucial in preventing the need to clean insects and bugs from your windscreen whilst driving. Check the condition of your wipers and always use screen wash to remove insects from your windscreen. Remember though, it's essential to avoid using dry wiper blades, as they could potentially tear and scratch your windscreen.

Fluid Levels

Prior to setting off, it's important to examine and, if necessary, top up all fluid levels using the recommended oil, screen wash or coolant. The summer heat adds additional strain on your engine, so ensuring that your engine oil is at its highest level serves as both protection and a way of keeping it cool.

Additionally, ensure the coolant reservoir is filled to the maximum mark, not the maximum capacity. Remember though, always avoid checking the coolant level while the engine is hot as it can be dangerous.

Emergency items

Just in case you do break down, it’s essential to keep an emergency kit in your car when going on a staycation; this can include a high-vis vest, a triangle, spare headlight bulbs, a flashlight and a water bottle. You never know when they can come in handy.

We hope our article has given you a better understanding of checks to do yourself before going on holiday. However, should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Tags: *staycation *car_checks *holiday_checks *tyre_safety