Summer road trip checklist
Checks to make before a long summer journey.
Published 21/10/2026
Long journeys in hot weather put extra strain on your car.
Before you go
- Air con: if it smells or blows warm, it may need a regas.
- Tyres: check pressures for a fully loaded car, including the spare.
- Coolant and oil levels.
- Wipers: summer bugs and dust need good blades.
- Driving abroad: UK sticker, headlamp beam adjusters and the right documents.
Book a pre-holiday check with a member garage a week or two before you travel.
Related advice
Winter car checklist
Get your car ready for cold, dark and wet months.
Tyre tread depth: the UK law and the 20p test
The legal limit is 1.6 mm, but performance drops well before that.
Servicing an electric or hybrid car
Fewer moving parts, but they still need regular checks.