The heat of summer can be as brutal on your vehicle as a harsh winter.

Before you head out on your summer breaks it's a good idea to partake in a little preventative care. With the help of Bush Tyres and all the free checks we offer, you can make sure your vehicle will be running in tip-top condition all year round.

Below is a car care checklist to help you prepare for your next journey.

1.      Tyres – this also includes the spare wheel (if applicable) – Check tyre pressures & condition. Have a look at the tread depth and remove any stones lodged in the tread. Also check for cuts in the tread area or on the sidewall too.
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.

2.     Check the battery – heat is harder on a battery than the cold. The high temperatures which build up under the bonnet of your car can accelerate corrosion reducing battery life. As most batteries today are sealed units the things to look for are; corrosion around the battery terminals & in extreme cases the battery case swelling.
With our testing equipment we can check the electrical condition of your battery and your vehicles alternator, which charges your battery while driving, for FREE.

3.     Brakes – Check the brake fluid level & also do a visual check of the brake pads. Low brake fluid will indicate the brake pads & brake shoes are getting worn. Another reason for low brake fluid is the brake system could have developed a fluid leak.
If you are not sure what to look for bring your car to us for a FREE brake check.

4.     Air conditioning – an air condition service needs carrying out every one to two years. Check the gas pressure and compressor oil levels. The last thing you want is your air conditioning  breaking down on a hot day.
Contact your nearest centre for advice on where to go locally to have your vehicles air conditioning checked.

5.     Window screen wipers – Alas it rains in summer too but, more over, when driving in hot weather there are insects & bugs that will require cleaning off your windscreen while you are driving.
Always use your screen washers to remove bugs & 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.

6.     Check your vehicles fluid levels - top up where required using the recommended oils, screen wash, coolant etc. Your engine is under more duress in the heat of summer due to excessive heat build -up. 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.

7.      Emergency items for your car – Bulbs, reflective vest, fuses &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.

8.     Check the engines belts & hoses – look for cracks, splits, fraying, separating layers and missing pieces. You don't have to be a mechanic to check these items, so a quick inspection could save you a lot of money against roadside recovery due to a belt breaking or a hose bursting.

9.     Check the air filters - these could be 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.

10.  Washing your vehicle – this is more advisable after the winter because of the salt build up on the underside of the vehicle which can cause your vehicles bodywork and suspension components to corrode. A clean car can be more fuel efficient too.
Have you ever noticed how much better your vehicle seems to drive when it is freshly cleaned and polished?

11.   Last but not least, but easily over-looked, stock your car with filled water bottles, charged flashlights, 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.

Summers are hot, they bring along holidays, trips, and fun.

Whenever you are planning a road trip, prepare your car for summer by following the tips and suggestions above. These small steps will lead you to smoother and carefree journeys every time.