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The summer is almost upon us, so it is time to start planning road trips, days out with the family or just a sweaty commute to work. We change our wardrobes and we reorganise our routines, but we don’t always pay attention to what our cars need.
The warmer weather means that we need to think differently about the way in which we travel, so here are a few top tips to get your car ready for the summer.
No matter what we do, it is very easy to become sweaty when sat in a car seat for a long time. Adding a car seat cover can help to make your journey more comfortable, as it can mean that you are sitting on a more breathable fabric. It also means that your seats are protected from sweat stains, not to mention the damage caused by kids with ice creams or over excited pets.
Car seat covers come in a variety of styles and colours, so you can choose something that is perfectly suited to your car. When it gets dirty, it is easy to simply take off and wash, helping to preserve the condition of your car and saving you back breaking work trying to scrub the seats clean.
Your air conditioning can be a life saver when stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day. It is therefore important to make sure that it is in good working order and topped up so that it can help to keep you cool and comfortable all through the summer.
Many drivers choose to add sunshades to their cars to help keep the heat of the sun at bay. These tend to be most popular for those who have children or pets in the back seat, in order to protect them from the direct glare of the sun, but they can also be useful whenever your car is parked up, as they can help to reduce the build up of heat in a stationary vehicle.
The better weather makes us more inclined to get out on the road for day trips and holidays, so it is important to give your car a health check before you do. Make sure that your tyres are fully inflated and have the legal tread depths, check your windscreen wipers are working and look at the levels of your oil, water, coolant and screen wash. You should also check your battery and brakes to help avoid any breakdowns while you are out and about.
We love to take our pets out with us on a nice day, but this is not always as easy as it sounds. Fitting a pet bed to your car can make the journey easier and more comfortable for both your animals and the humans in the car. These offer padding and comfort for your pet to help make the trip less stressful, and it can help to protect your seats or your boots from claw marks, pet hair and any little accidents that might occur.
It is best to be prepared for all eventualities, so you need to make sure that you have kits in your car that can help you deal with any emergencies that might occur. A first aid kit is essential for when you are in the car, as well as any activities that you might be doing. Ensure it has essential thinks like plasters, bandages and antiseptic cream, as well as creams for bites and stings, painkillers and sunscreen to make sure that you are covered for most mishaps.
You also need to think about what you will need in the event of a breakdown. You should ensure that you have a spare tyre or inflation kit, and emergency sign and a fire extinguisher. It might also be worth getting some jump leads and tow rope. As you never know how long you might be stuck somewhere, a stock of blankets, a torch and some drinks and snacks may prove to be essential.
If you are venturing further afield than normal, then you are increasing the risk of a problem, so make sure that you have adequate breakdown cover in place. Read the small print to check what they will do for you at the side of the road and where they are likely to tow you to in order to make sure that you have the right cover for your situation.
Travelling in the summer means loading the boot up with all kinds of things. It might be your clubs for a day at the golf course, or a pushchair, a picnic and some buckets and spades for a family day at the beach. Maybe you will be loaded up with suitcases, or you have walking boots and umbrellas for a trip into the countryside.
All through the summer we throw things into the boot without a second thought, but this can cause a lot of damage in the form of scratches, dirt, moisture and mould. Fitting a boot liner can protect your car against much of this, and it is easy to remove and wash when you need to, meaning that your car is ready for whatever adventures you want to take it on.
It is important that you have a way of providing more charge for your devices so make sure you have the right cables on hand to connect them to your car or have a separate battery pack on hand. This can not only ensure you have the right tunes for your trip and keep the kids entertained, but it can also make sure that your sat nav has all the power it needs.
The summer is the perfect time to get out on the open road, so it is important that you spent a little bit of time ensuring that your car is fully prepared. This means you can all travel in style, comfort and convenience wherever you go.
