With the clocks going forwards at the end of March, we’re all being treated to an extra hour of daylight. So why not make the most of the lighter evenings with some productive tasks and activities. From car cleaning to evening bike rides, we’ve got top tips and products to keep you moving as we wave goodbye to the colder months and welcome the warmth of spring and summer.
1. Go for a bike ride
Lighter evenings mean more time to make the most of the great outdoors. An after-work bike ride is the perfect opportunity to get out in nature and unwind. Not only is cycling great for staying active, it’s also amazing for mental wellbeing. So, why not dust off your bike and let some pedal power help you de-stress after the working day.
If it’s been some time since you last got on your bike, take advantage of our free bike check. One of our experts will conduct essential checks including the frame, tyres, braking system and much more to ensure it’s in top condition.
Or, if you’re looking for a bike upgrade, we’ve got plenty of options to choose from both online and in-store. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at our Bike Buyer’s Guide for inspiration or speak to one of our experts in-store.
2. Give your car some TLC
The colder months can be rough on your car, so it may need some TLC by the time spring rolls around. We’ve got an extensive range of car cleaning products from top brands including Halfords Advanced, Turtle Wax, Autoglym, and Meguiar’s that will help you restore your car to its former glory during the lighter evenings.
Snow foam is your best bet for a thorough pre-wash, and it’s fun to apply too! The Halfords Advanced Snow Foam is a firm favourite, thanks to its thick suds and easy application with a pressure washer. Then help to protect your hard work with a ceramic coating, to add a layer of hydrophobic protection to your car’s paintwork. You can get these in a spray, foam, or wax, to suit your detailing style.
For more product recommendations, including perfect product pairings that will really help to make the car cleaning process a breeze, take a look at our blog on car cleaning product pairings.
And don’t forget about your car’s interior! The dirt, mud and grime of the colder months have probably left their mark here as well. An in-car vacuum, stain removers and dedicated interior cleaners are great places to start here – check out our recent blog on Top car cleaning tips on how to keep your interior clean for more info.
3. Car maintenance checks
Of course, there’s more to showing your car some love than simply polishing it to a showroom-worthy shine. What’s going on under the bonnet is equally as important and that’s where our maintenance checks come in.
The first one we’d always recommend when you’re looking ahead to spring and summer is our Free Air Con Check. After all, no one wants the disappointment of pushing the AC button only for warm air to come out! In this check, one of our experts will review the pressure of your AC, the gas quantity and your refrigerant levels. If your AC needs topping up, then we can get you booked in for our air con recharging service.
Our Free 5-Point Car Check is another useful service, as we’ll check the condition of five key areas of your car. Or you can upgrade to our 10-Point Car Check for added peace of mind.
Another area to keep an eye on is your tyres. Having the correct tyre tread and pressure is key to staying safe on the roads. Take a look at our blog on How to maintain, clean and replace your tyres for further tips. You can also take advantage of our Free Tyre Check to ensure your tyres are safe and road-ready.
If you ever run into a problem with your tyres or perhaps you’ve discovered a flat battery and can’t make it to your local Halfords, then we can come to you instead with our Halfords Mobile Experts service. Simply book online at a time and date that suits you.
4. Prepare for upcoming road trips
Spring and summer are classic staycation seasons, so you’ll want to make sure your car is set up to make the most of them. In-car tech like a sat nav or dash cam will help you to get to your destination smoothly and safely, while a stereo or head unit will give you hours of entertainment to enjoy along the way.
For some extra space, it’s also worth considering a roof box. There are various sizes to choose from and we also offer fitting to get you all set up and ready to go.
Bike racks are another way to avoid having to sacrifice space inside your car and here you can choose between roof-mounted, rear-mounted and tow bar-mounted. For both of these types of products, just make sure that you use our online vehicle registration checker to check compatibility with your car first as not all makes and models will be appropriate for your particular vehicle.
Child car seats are another important area to keep an eye on if you’ve got little ones in the family. Choosing the right car seat can seem a bit complicated at first, but we’ve got some great advice and guidance in our Car Seat Buyer’s Guide that will walk you through all of the options.
Whatever model you go for, just make sure that it’s fitted securely so that your kids are fully protected. For a hand with fitting, select the fitting option during the online checkout process or pop down to your local Halfords where one of our colleagues will be happy to help.
We hope this article helps you to put that extra hour of sunlight to good use this Spring! If you’re looking for any other bike accessories, car cleaning products, want to know more about our free car checks or need some staycation essentials, then head on over to Halfords.com.
