Driving off for your summer holiday? Make sure your car is up to the trip

With many of us choosing a ‘stay-cation’ this summer and forgoing our annual flight abroad, it’s important that wherever you decide to holiday in the UK, your car is in tip top shape and can get you there in one piece.

Whether you’re planning a driving holiday, caravanning or simply driving off to the seaside, preparing your car for the long, hot trip is essential and if overlooked, could turn your relaxing break into an extremely stressful experience for you and your family.

The summer holidays are the perfect time to invest in your car’s health and Ford Retail dealerships are offering motorists a free summer health check - worth over £30, consisting of a visual check as well as oil, antifreeze and windscreen check and top up, to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey to your chosen destination.

Ford Retail is also currently offering the new ‘Value Service’ at just £99, giving your car a basic health check, tyre check, oil and filter change and more*. Half price MOT tests are also on offer at just £27 for any make or model when combined with your service.

During the summer, hot weather and congestion can too often cause roads to become littered with broken down vehicles and hassled drivers, so to prevent you from becoming part of that scene, Ford Retail has highlighted a few simple but vital checks you can make yourself before revving up your engine…

Top Ten Tips for summer driving:

1) Check your oil and water – a hot engine needs all the lubrication it can get and if your water levels are too low, you may find your engine overheating just when you’re starting to make progress on your journey. If towing a heavy trailer or caravan, switch to a motor oil with higher viscosity

2) Check your cooling fan is operating correctly – set your heater to cold and switch on the engine – the fan should cut in after about 5-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and make sure it doesn’t overheat

3) Tyre pressure – examine your tyres for uneven or worn tread and make sure all tyres (including the spare!) are inflated to the correct pressure. Try to check them every couple of hours on your journey, as they can expand in hot weather

4) Top up your windscreen washer – a dirty windshield can be a hazard in itself, so make sure your reservoir is topped up with plenty of screenwash and your wiper blades are in good condition

5) Lights – inspect all lights and bulbs and replace any that have burnt out

6) Brakes – put them to the test and check the brake fluid. If you notice any pulsations, noises or longer stopping distances, get the brakes checked over straight away

7) Air-conditioning – one thing that is guaranteed to get you hot under the collar is if your air con fails. Check that cold air is coming out of the vents before you set off – if it’s not, or you notice and funny odours, get it checked out

8) Pack an ‘emergency kit’ – in case of difficulties take with you; a first aid kit, torch (and extra batteries), reflective triangle, mobile phone, jump cables and extra bottles of water to keep cool in the event of a breakdown

9) Get your car serviced – it is recommended that a full service is carried out at least one week before embarking on a long journey

10) Roof racks – Ensure that roof racks are properly loaded and securely tied down to minimise wind resistance and save fuel.

If you’re still unsure of what to look for when preparing your car for the summer holidays, or are worried about the outcome of any of your own checks, drop in or book in your car for its free summer health check at your local Ford Retail dealership:

Polar Ford, Wakefield Road, Barnsley. Tel: 01226 732732
Polar Ford, Calder Island Way, Denby Dale Road, Wakefield. Tel: 01924 290290
Polar Ford, Junction 32 M62, Park Road, Castleford. Tel: 01977 603644
Polar Ford, St Andrews Road, Huddersfield. Tel: 01484 290022
Polar Ford, Canal Road, Bradford. Tel: 01274 756200

Polar Ford, Winwick Road, Warrington. Tel: 01925 651111
Polar Ford, Victoria Road, Runcorn. Tel: 01928 574333
Polar Ford, City Road, St Helens Tel: 01744 26381
Polar Ford, A34 By-Pass, Wilmslow. Tel: 01625 257777
Polar Ford, Wellington Road North, Stockport. Tel: 0161 975 5500
Polar Ford, 60 Buxton Road, Hazel Grove, Tel: 01614 264050

Brunel Ford, Winterstoke Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 908 9999
Brunel Ford, 175 Muller Road, Horfield, Bristol. Tel: 0117 951 3333
Brunel Ford, Winterstoke Road, Weston-Super-Mare. Tel: 01934 415511

Heartlands Ford, 971 Kingsbury Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 377 3000
Heartlands Ford, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 344 5252
Heartlands Ford, Saxon Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire. Tel: 01827 306700

Dagenham Motors Newbury Park, Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park. Tel: 020 8597 3331
Dagenham Motors Plaistow, 259 Plaistow Road, Plaistow. Tel: 020 8534 7661
Dagenham Motors Ripple Road, Ripple Road, Barking, Essex, Tel: 0208 911 3333

Dagenham Motors, 161-169 Pier Road, Gillingham. Tel: 01634 283400
Dagenham Motors, Ballard Business Park, Cuxton Road, Strood. Tel: 01634 712300

Dagenham Motors Eltham, Five Ways, Sidcup Road, Eltham, London, SE9 3AQ. Tel: 020 8860 1266

Dagenham Motors Banstead, Brighton Road, Banstead. Tel: 01737 352202
Dagenham Motors, Guildford Road, Bookham. Tel: 01372 804500
Dagenham Motors, Wintersells Road, Byfleet. Tel: 01932 332933
Dagenham Motors, 97 Portsmouth Road, Cobham. Tel: 01932 864244
Dagenham Motors, 20-40 East Street, Epsom. Tel: 01372 804040
Dagenham Motors, Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, Kingston. Tel: 020 8339 3500

Dagenham Motors, 319 The Hyde, Edgware Road. Tel: 020 8358 8600
Dagenham Motors, Baker Street, Potters Bar. Tel: 01707 652219
Dagenham Motors, 51 Stamford Hill. Tel: 020 8826 2200
Dagenham Motors, Unit 1 Waltham Park Way, Walthamstow, Billet Road. Tel: 020 8556 1521
Dagenham Motors, 357 Chigwell Road, Woodford Green. Tel: 020 8498 9848
Dagenham Motors, 720 Great Cambridge Road, Enfield. Tel: 020 8884 7800
Dagenham Motors, 374 Ealing Road, Alperton. Tel: 020 8997 3388

Dagenham Motors Hounslow, 719-727 London Road, Hounslow. Tel: 020 8814 4600
Dagenham Motors Staines, 268 London Road, Staines. Tel: 01784 466666

*Ford’s Value Service is offered to cars aged four years or older. Please contact dealership for additional information.