When the temperature climbs and the roads start shimmering in the heat, getting behind the wheel suddenly demands a little more preparation than usual. That’s why a little prep goes a long way.
From making sure your air con is blowing crisp, cool air to keeping a well-packed coolbox in the boot for drinks and snacks, the right hot‑weather essentials help you stay comfortable, protect your car and enjoy every mile. This Halfords guide brings together the simple checks and smart add‑ons that make warm‑weather motoring feel effortless.
1. Air conditioning
Sitting in a hot car can feel like you’re sitting in an oven. Banish that feeling by making sure your air conditioning is icy cool before you leave on your journey!
Our Free Air Con Check is a great starting point and is available at all Halfords retail stores. One of our technicians will check the pressure to make sure there are no leaks and check your refrigerant levels to see if a top-up is required.
If you’re planning to re‑gas your own air con, make sure you’re using the right product for your vehicle. Use our vehicle registration checker to confirm the correct gas type, then choose from our range of reliable gas and re‑gas tools. We stock trusted brands like AC PRO, so you can get the job done quickly and safely.
2. Coolant & Screenwash
It won’t keep you cool on a hot day, but coolant will protect your engine against overheating and so we’d always recommend making sure it’s topped up before you get behind the wheel this summer.
Halfords OAT Ready Mixed Antifreeze & Coolant 5L provides superior protection and is suitable for use all year round thanks to its temperature range of +108°C to -34°C.
As for screenwash, while you hopefully won’t have much rain to worry about on a hot day, dust, tar, dirt and bugs can still make their presence felt (and can actually be worse to deal with on a really dry screen). So make sure you’ve got plenty of fluid in your screenwash reservoir to make short work of them. For summer, we really like the Halfords -20°C Ready to Use Citrus Screenwash 5L because of it’s fun citrus scent.
3. Sunshades
Your backseat passengers will love you forever if you adorn their windows with some sunshades. There are lots of different types to choose from, but one of our favourites has to be the Halfords Rear Window Sunshade (Pack of 2).
An Auto Express Best Buy 2021 award winner, these sunshades fit neatly over most car doors and can be fitted/removed in seconds. Their clever design means your passengers will still be able to open the windows and the sunshade will also act as a handy bug shield.
It’s also worth considering a front windscreen sunshade as these can help to keep the whole car cool while you enjoy your time out in the sun.
4. Sunglasses
Driving in bright sunlight can be a bit of a challenge so make things easier for yourself with a good pair of sunglasses.
Before purchasing a pair of shades, look for the following features for the best protection:
- 100% UV protection — shields your eyes from harmful UV rays
- Polarised lenses — reduces glare from bright sunlight, making it easier to see
- CE mark — confirms the sunglasses meet recognised European safety standards
5. Coolbag
There’s nothing better than cracking open a coolbox or coolbag on a hot summer’s day to find lovely, chilled food and drink inside.For a family picnic, there’s the Halfords Coolbag Trolley. The wheels and extendible handle make it a great alternative to carrying a heavy picnic basket, while the bag itself has straps to secure freezer packs, a front zipper storage pocket and elastic bungee storage netting on the outside for additional space.
Coolbox
For those that might need a bit more space and cooling power, there’s the Halfords 40 Litre Mains and 12V & 24V Electric Coolbox. The beauty of this box is that you can power it from the mains, or via the 12V/24V socket in your car or truck, so you can be assured of consistent cooling of up to 16 degrees below the ambient temperature no matter how warm it is outside. Perfect!
6. Beach shelter
If the beach is your destination instead, then a beach shelter can be the perfect way to escape from the sun during the hottest part of the day (and a perfect place to slap on some more suncream).
We love the Halfords Beach Shelter for its sturdy and reliable design and 60-second pitching time. Sand pockets provide extra stability in the wind, while the 30+ UV rating will help to protect your skin from the sun. Plus, it comes with a 2-year guarantee to ensure that
7. Fan
Last, but not least, is the humble fan, which can help to keep you cool wherever you are. A convenient travel size, the Simply Motorised Handheld Fan has foam blades to create an improved airflow and increase safety, and a powerful 4,500 RPM motor for maximum power.
It also comes with 2 x AA batteries, so all you need to do is hit the ‘on’ switch to feel the cooling benefits.
8. Halfords Motoring Club benefits
The perfect partner for your sunny days out is your Motoring Club membership, with plenty of benefits to help get you saving on your car maintenance, travel accessories, and the adventures themselves.
Get your car ready for the journey with savings on your MOT, a free car health check or a helping hand fitting some new wiper blades. Plus, with a Premium membership, you get a 5% always-on discount across motoring AND free next-working-day delivery – perfect for stocking up on your in-car accessories.
Still not a member? Don’t miss out – join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
Wherever you go on your journeys this year, remember that for all your camping, staycation and motoring needs, you want Halfords.
