How can I make sure that my car is summer-holiday ready?

The summer holidays are here and thousands of families will be heading out on four wheels to travel across the UK and further afield.

A mechanical breakdown can put a serious damper on an adventure, so making sure that your car is ready to go can help to make a journey far less stressful. We’ve spoken with tyre brand Envoy about some of the things you can do to help.

One of the best places to start is with your car’s tyres. They’re the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, of course, so making sure that they’re in good health is essential. You can check a tyre’s pressure using a gauge or at an air pump found at garages and petrol stations. Make sure that they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures – you can usually find these in the handbook or on a sticker inside the driver’s door – and don’t forget the spare, too.

Check the tread depth of the tyres, too, and remember that if you have any concerns, make sure to have them checked out by a professional.

Coolant is essential for helping your car’s engine to maintain a steady temperature and without it, you risk your vehicle overheating. To check the coolant, make sure your car is on a level surface and cool, before opening the coolant reservoir to check the fluid level. There should be a ‘maximum’ and ‘minimum’ marker on the side of the reservoir, so fill it to the right level with an appropriate coolant.

Oil is another key part of making sure your car is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Check your car’s engine oil level using the dipstick, cleaning it off first with a rag or paper towel before returning it to the engine and checking the levels. If it appears low, add the right oil for your car in small amounts, re-checking each time.

Oil changes are important, too, so make sure your car is regularly serviced. If it’s been a while since your last oil change, consider getting one for your car before you head off on a long trip.

Screen wash is particularly important during the summer, as with insects and dust on the road, your car’s windscreen can get dirty quickly. Make sure you keep your car topped up with proper screenwash, rather than just water, as it’ll clear your car’s screen more effectively.

Proper-functioning brakes are essential, as if they fail, you could quickly end up in a very dangerous situation. Check how your brake pedal feels as you press it – does it go a little further than it should, or does it feel soft? If this is the case, then you might need your brake fluid topped up. It’s worth having them checked over by a professional at this point, too, in order to make sure they’re in proper working order.

But if your brakes feel fine, then check around the car to make sure that your lights are working as they should. During the brighter summer months, you might not use your main lights as much, but give them a test to see if they’re all working properly. Replace any blown bulbs right away.

Pack an emergency kit

It always pays to be prepared, so putting together a small pack of essentials before you leave is a great idea. Consider bringing some non-perishable food items, some warm clothes and a first-aid kit as well as extra water.

You could also consider bringing some jump leads and a fully-charged power bank. Plus, we’d recommend having breakdown cover in place if you’re travelling further afield.