Summer Maintenance Checklist | Howards
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  • Summer Maintenance Checklist
  • 07 August 2019
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    Summer Maintenance Checklist

    You know your vehicle. You know it is reliable, but there are always little things which can go wrong, like any man-made machine. Here at Howard's, we have compiled a little checklist to put that pre-road trip anxiety to bay.

You know your vehicle. You know it is reliable, but there are always little things which can go wrong, like any man-made machine. Here at Howard's, we have compiled a little check list to put that pre-road trip anxiety to bay. Vehicles should be checked regularly, but here are a few things you can do yourself.



“Most people don’t realise that heat is the number one cause of battery failure and reduced battery life” - Steve Fox, AA Director

Summer Checklist for your Car 


Summer is here! Whether you're driving far this summer or jetting off somewhere more exotic, we have prepared some essential tips to ensure a smooth ride. Even in British summertime, high temperatures, flurries of dust and dirt, and of course the occasional rain can all take a toll on your vehicle’s most important systems.

These tips are not just good for the summer months. We recommend going through the checklist before any long drive, or every month or so just for peace of mind.



Feel free to save or screenshot the below guide for future use...
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Summer Checklist
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Going for a long road-trip this summer?


  • If you are unfamiliar with your vehicle, it may be useful for you to practice changing the spare wheel, using the instructions laid out in your owner's handbook.

  • Pre-pack spare keys… you never know!!

  • If you plan to take a caravan or trailer, check the tyre condition and the braking system of both. Make sure your tyres are fully inflated as well to balance any weight increases (and we don’t mean holiday indulgence!)

  • Be aware of the vehicle capacity and don’t over-load it

  • Take plenty of water and refreshments, take regular breaks. It may be worth researching service stations along your journey and an alternative route, before setting off. 

  • This one's old school, but take a tangible map. No 4G? No problem!

  • Take sun cream and a high vis jacket in case of emergencies

  • If you have children, take some games you can play in the car

  • Make sure the Jack and Wheel brace are in good working order. Whilst you’re there, check you have your warning triangle.

  • Pack a first aid kit, additional engine oil, water and windscreen wash for topping up.
Remember, oil is practically the blood of your vehicle keeping it functioning and lubricated. Engine oil protects all of the meticulously engineered parts moving together in your car & engine. Changing your oil at regular intervals (at least every 3000 miles is the guide) is one of the most economical ways to ensure reliability and peak performance out of our vehicle. Failure to do this could result in avoided vehicle warranty and even complete engine failure... So don't risk it!

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  • Howards Garages (Weston) Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Howards Garages (Weston) Ltd to act as a credit broker, not a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders, and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

    We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to a carefully selected panel of lenders, which includes manufacturer lenders linked directly to the franchises that we represent. We act on behalf of the lender for this introduction and not as your agent. We are not impartial, and we are not an independent financial advisor.

    Our approach is to introduce you first to the manufacturer lender linked directly to the particular franchise you are purchasing your vehicle from, who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to make the next most suitable offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure a suitable finance agreement for you that enables you to achieve your financial objectives. If you purchase a vehicle, in the majority of cases, we will receive a commission from your lender for introducing you to them which is either a fixed fee, or a fixed percentage of the amount that you borrow. This may be linked to the vehicle model you purchase.

    Different lenders pay different commissions for such introductions, and manufacturer lenders linked directly to the franchises that we represent may also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement; however, you will be contributing towards the commission paid to us with the interest collected on your repayments. Before we propose you to a potential lender, we will inform you of the likely amount of commission we will receive and seek your consent to receive this commission. The exact amount of commission that we will receive will be confirmed prior to you signing your finance agreement.

    All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18s or over. Guarantees may be required.