Six quick checks from GEM to help you avoid a breakdown this summer

Levels of traffic on motorways and popular holiday routes will grow in the coming weeks, potentially putting pressure on vehicle recovery services. That’s why it pays to ensure a few basic checks have been carried out before heading off for a day trip or longer holiday.

A car that’s had extra care and been properly looked after is much less likely to break down. That’s why we are urging drivers to get some basic maintenance checks done before setting off for a summer break in the car.

We can all carry out checks on tyres to ensure their tread is sufficient and their pressure is correct. We can also check fluid levels and ensure screens are clear and clean.

Battery failure remains the number one reason our members call for breakdown recovery, even in summer, so we strongly recommend taking extra care in getting your vehicle battery checked before a long journey. Take the opportunity to get any dashboard warning lights investigated as well.

By taking some simple steps before you go, you’ll be much better placed to avoid the misery and inconvenience of a roadside breakdown this summer.

What is the most common cause of a vehicle breakdown?

As mentioned, the most common cause of car breakdown in the UK is a flat battery. To help avoid this you can use a trickle charger to keep your battery topped up (always adhere to the product’s instruction manual). You should also avoid short journeys (since this depletes the battery), and consider replacing the battery if it is over three years old.

Another common breakdown cause is a flat tyre. You can help prevent a flat tyre by ensuring all four tyres are pressurised to the level specified by the manufacturer. You should also carry out regular visual inspections, looking for damage to tyre material - such as cuts, abrasion, bulges, and patterns of wear. Avoiding hazards (e.g., potholes and construction areas) and overloading your vehicle will also help you prevent a flat tyre. You should also rotate your tyres, in line with your car’s manual.

Other common breakdown causes include electrical faults and alternator problems.

How to look after a car in hot weather?

An overheated car can lead to serious engine damage. In extreme situations, it can result in a fire. Your dashboard temperature gauge should alert you if the temperature rises too high. You must act if your car (and engine) is overheating, by pulling over to let your car cool down - ideally in the shade.

You can help prevent overheating by ensuring your vehicle has sufficient coolant (and that there are no coolant leaks). Also check that transmission, brake, and power steering fluids are all topped up.

Periodic radiator flushing can also help reduce the risk of overheating.

Other essential checks for summer driving include ensuring you have enough fuel for your journey; that your oil levels are topped up; and that your tyres are pressurised properly and have the legal minimum 3mm of tread depth.

You should also avoid overloading your vehicle’s engine with excessive air conditioning use. However, you may need to use your AC unit to bring the temperature down if the engine does overheat. In such situations, angle the air vents downwards to push the hot air upwards.

Additionally, it's important to park away from direct sunlight, to use a windscreen shade, and to leave windows slightly open (but only when not parked outside, as this could tempt thieves). Covering your seats and wiping down hot surfaces will also make the cabin more bearable for you and your passengers.

GEM offers six car health check tips to complete before a long holiday drive

Most of these are covered in GEM’s series of short ‘how to’ video guides.

Tyres: check pressures and adjust if necessary to take heavy loads into account. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre. Check out our video on how to check your tyres.

Fuel: set off with a full tank of fuel, or full battery charge if you’re driving an electric car. Plan where you’ll stop to recharge or refuel.

Batteries: battery failures are a year-round cause of vehicle malfunction. The summer load on your car’s electrics can be greatly increased if you’re in stop-start traffic on a hot day with everyone needing to keep their mobile devices charged. A visit to your local service centre can put your mind at rest when it comes to battery health… and if it needs replacing, then you can get it done before it lets you down.

Fluids: many breakdowns could be avoided through simple and quick checks of the fluids your car needs. Consult your car owner’s manual to see what checks you can make and how to do them. Engine oil level checks are vital for your car to run smoothly.

Warning lights: don’t be tempted to ignore any warning lights that appear on your car dashboard. Yellow warning lights mean you need to take action to have a fault put right. Red warning lights mean you must stop the car as soon as it’s safe.

Screens and screenwash: expect a build-up of dead insects on your windscreen and front lights. Make a point of manually cleaning the windscreen and windows regularly; don’t rely on wipers and washer fluid to clear away everything. Do also check your windscreen washer bottle is full before you set off.

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