We might expect the summer to bring endless blue skies and glorious sunshine. Here in the UK, however, we usually get a few summer showers as well.
The rain can make driving more difficult – especially after a period of dry weather – as you’re more likely to skid and lose traction on the road. The good thing is that there are several steps we can take right now to get our cars ready for whatever the summer weather throws at us, rain or shine.
1. Get your car road‑ready
Before you set off, make sure your car is safe, reliable and performing at its best. Halfords offers a range of checks to give you confidence on the road.
5‑Point Car Check
A free check available in all stores and garages, covering:
- Lights
- Wiper blades
- Battery health
- Windscreen
- MOT due date reminder (UK Only)
10‑Point Car Check
Includes everything in the 5‑Point Check plus:
- Oil level check
- Tyre depth check
- Tyre inflation check & top-up
- Oil level check
- Screen wash top up
- AdBlue & coolant check
Free Component Checks
Here at Halfords, we also offer a range of free checks for certain vehicle componants, before driving in the heat we recommend booking the following:
- Free Brake Check – ideal for wet weather, ensuring your brakes perform safely in slippery conditions.
- Free Tyre Check – perfect for checking that your tyres are safe and road worthy.
If you’re taking your bike on your summer adventures, it’s also worth booking a bike service to make sure it’s ready to ride.
2. Check your tyres
With everything working as it should, you’ll next want to make sure your tyres are up to scratch by checking your tyre pressure and tread depth.
The Halfords Digital Tyre Pressure/Tread Gauge is the perfect assistant here, providing quick and accurate readings on a clear LED display.
You may also want to consider swapping your tyres to all-season tyres – they’re designed to give you a confident, safe driving experience all year round without the need to change tyres twice a year. That means that instead of having summer tyres that struggle to cope when it rains, you’ll be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you – read more about the benefits of all-season tyres in our dedicated guide. Even better, with our mobile fitting service, one of our Mobile Experts can fit the tyres right on your drive or at work. We can come to you 7 days a week between 8am – 8pm, so you can avoid the trouble of leaving the house.
3. Keep your windscreen clear
There’s nothing worse than a dirty, smeared windscreen and an empty screenwash reservoir, especially in the summer months with dust and pollen filling the air. Add in some rain and you’ve got a smeared, grimy windscreen and poor visibility.
Avoid getting caught out and get ready for summer showers at the same time by considering the following:
Screenwash
Keep screenwash topped up with Halfords -10 Ready To Use Screenwash or Halfords Super Concentrate to stay prepared. You can refill it yourself or visit Halfords for a free screenwash top‑up.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades wear down over time, so replacing them helps keep your windscreen clear in wet weather, flat silicone wiper blades offer the best performance thanks to their hydrophobic coating. Use the vehicle registration checker to find the right blades for your car.
4. Safeguard your visibility
Having a clear windscreen is important, but all your windows have a part to play when it comes to maximising your visibility when it rains.
Rain-X Rain Repellent is a great product to have in your arsenal to combat any sudden showers. Applied to the windows of your car, it seals the microscopic pores on the glass to create an invisible water-repellent barrier and works with the natural airflow of the car to disperse any raindrops, giving you maximum visibility even in a downpour.
You can also counteract any showers with our Duxback Glass Treatment, a professional-quality car glass treatment that stops water spreading and smearing. It creates a hydrophobic surface and repels water and other liquids, meaning rain simply beads, sheds and rolls off – it works for ice and snow too, so you’ll be covered all year round.
5. Protect against the elements
Even in the warmer months, a good fall of rain is going to produce some mud. Plus, if you’re out and about on a summer adventure, you’re more likely to be treading dirt and muck into the car. Thankfully, you can nip this problem in the bud by picking up some protective covers and mats. A car mat set will provide durable and hard-wearing surfaces to keep your car’s carpet clean, while our boot mats and seat protectors will look after the rest of your upholstery.
- A car mat set provides a durable, hard‑wearing surface that protects your car’s carpet from dirt, mud and everyday wear.
- Boot mats help keep your boot area clean, especially when carrying wet gear, muddy shoes or pets.
- Seat protectors shield your upholstery from spills, stains and scuffs, making them ideal for family trips, outdoor adventures or transporting equipment.
For the exterior, we recommend the Halfords All Seasons Car Covers. Available in five sizes, these covers are made of a weatherproof and breathable material that will help to protect your car from the impact of pollution, rain, and UV rays, so you can avoid the rain on wet days and keep your car cool on sunny ones. The soft lining prevents any damage to your car’s paintwork and the securing straps ensure a snug fit. Add one of these to your collection and your car will thank you for it.
6. Give your car a good clean
It’s also a good time to show your car some love with a thorough wash. Equip yourself with Karcher K2 Power Control Car Pressure Washer and you’ll be able to make short work of even the biggest cleaning tasks. With a foam nozzle, wash brush, and car detergent included, you’ll have the paintwork gleaming in no time.
Take a look at our blog on the best car cleaning tips for further advice on getting your vehicle looking showroom-ready.
Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club
Here’s one great way to prepare for summer driving in any weather: join the thousands of customers already signed up to Halfords Motoring Club, to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee of £5.49 (£65.88 total) or £54 annually to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
Come rain or shine, make the most of your summer with Halfords. And if you’ve got any concerns about the condition of your car, just drop into your local Halfords store or autocentre and one of our colleagues will be happy to help.
Halfords is here to get you where you want to be this summer and all year round.
