Around summer time you see the calls from the various garages coming again: the summer check. What does the summer check before the holiday trip actually entail? What can you expect? Joep Schuurman of Carrec explains what the inspection entails.
For a longer journey it is of course good to know that your car is in good condition. After all, you don’t want to come to a stop unexpectedly with a packed car. That is why it is good to check a number of points before the holiday trip. The summer check before the holiday trip is a great way. Then what should you pay attention to?
Check the tire pressure
One of the most important parts that you should check during the summer check before the holiday ride is the tire pressure. That tension should be good. This benefits your own safety and that of others. You will only skid or have a longer braking distance due to incorrect tire pressure! You can find the tire pressure against a door jamb, on the inside of the fuel (or loading) flap or in the owner’s manual. You check it with a handy tire pressure gauge. Then keep the slightly higher tire pressure because you will be driving a loaded car or maintain higher speeds. And immediately check the profile of the tires. Is it still deep enough?
| From our partner Need Windshield Washer Fluid? At bol.com you will find the top 10 windscreen wiper fluids to ensure that the reservoir is always well filled! |
Check the oil level
A few minutes of work, but it can save a lot of trouble: checking the oil level. If you can gauge it through the dashboard, it’s completely easy. Then look it up in the menu before you start the car. However, on most cars you have to take the oil dipstick from under the hood, pull it out of the holder, clean it and put it back in. When you take the dipstick out again, the oil should be between two marks. Is it on the low side and do you want to top up? Usually the difference between these lines is 1 liter of oil. Good to know!
Check brake fluid
The next important check on the list is the brake fluid. That is in a closed system and if it becomes lower, it usually indicates worn parts. If you have to refill it more often, this may indicate a leak. You should definitely have it looked at because this liquid is a nasty chemical substance that affects rubber and plastics, for example.
Check coolant
Don’t forget to check the coolant in the summer. Often the system is closed and the cap is sealed. Then you have to make do with the min/max lines on the outside of the reservoir. This reservoir is usually located in the engine compartment.
If you can open the cap, do so carefully when the engine is warm. For example, with your hand in a glove or towel. Give the cap a small turn so that the excess pressure can escape. Only when you hear the air escaping will you get a reliable indication of the amount of coolant in your reservoir. Again, ideally, the level should be between the minimum and maximum lines.
| From our partner Also for windshield wiper fluid, oil and much more! You can find many car parts here winparts.nl! |
Top up windshield washer fluid
This part of the summer check before the holiday trip is topping up the windshield wiper fluid. This reservoir is sometimes well visible, but sometimes it is hidden further away. But if you have topped up the fluid, you should be able to get ahead for a while during your long holiday trip. Although you probably won’t get salt on the roads during a drive in sunny holiday countries, your car is a good target for many insects that you want to wash off the windscreen.
Bring jumper cables
This is not a point to check, but to pack: the jumper cables. Of course, for cars with a combustion engine you hope you don’t need them. Make sure you connect the jumper cables in the right way if you have to help someone get going again! Tip from Joep: if the battery is in the back or in a difficult place, there are often contacts under the hood to help someone get started. Make sure you use the cable properly. Although the system works with 12 Volts, if used incorrectly you can cause a short circuit and thus electronic damage.
| From our partner Need an environmental sticker, vignette? In many areas in France and Germany you must have a vignette on your car. Order your Vignette Crit’Air, E-Plakette or environmental sticker at VignetBestellen. Just in Dutch. Also for your (toll) vignette that you must have in Austria and Switzerland. Arrange it on time! |
Useful things to take with you
If you are thinking of useful things to take with you, then this list may help you:
- liquids such as oil and windscreen washer fluid
- some funnels
- First aid kit
- safety vests
If you have to buy these, also look on the internet. You can often find them cheaper there than at the gas station. Especially if you’re looking along the highway. And sometimes you can order a holiday kit with the most important things at once.
Can you do the summer check yourself before the holiday ride?
In principle, you can do the summer check yourself quite easily before the holiday ride. As you can see, many of the parts are very simple. But if you are not sure: feel free to make an appointment at your garage. It does it quickly and for a few tenners you are also done.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl