Top Tips for Spring and Summer Driving

As the warmer weather rolls in from April onwards, it’s the perfect time to give your car a little extra attention. Spring and summer bring different driving conditions compared to winter – higher temperatures, longer journeys, and sudden rain showers can all impact how your car performs. 

To stay safe and get the best out of every drive, it’s important to adapt your car care routine to suit the season. At etyres, we make it easy to get ready for the months ahead, offering a wide range of premium and budget tyres, plus convenient mobile fitting services wherever you are.

Why Warmer Weather Affects Your Car’s Performance

Tyre pressure naturally increases in warmer weather, which can affect grip, handling, and overall safety if not monitored carefully. Warmer conditions can also accelerate tyre wear, especially if they are already worn from winter driving.

It is not just your tyres that feel the difference. Hot weather can put extra strain on your car’s battery, making it more likely to fail if it is already weak. Engine fluids such as oil and coolant also work harder to regulate the engine’s temperature, and low levels or old fluids can quickly lead to overheating. Even your air conditioning system has to work much harder during spring and summer, and any existing faults are likely to show up as the heat intensifies.

Finally, with warm weather and longer days, many drivers take on more long-distance journeys. These extra miles add further stress to your tyres, brakes, and engine, making pre-summer checks even more important to avoid breakdowns.

Check Your Tyres for Safety and Performance

As temperatures climb during the warm weather, so does the air pressure inside your tyres. Even a small rise in pressure can affect how your car grips the road, making it important to check your tyres regularly through spring and summer. Overinflated tyres can lead to uneven wear, reduced traction, and a higher risk of blowouts, especially during long journeys.

Worn tyres are even more dangerous in hot weather. The combination of thin tread and softening rubber can seriously reduce your control over the vehicle, particularly during sudden braking or sharp turns. If you notice shallow tread, cracks, or uneven wear, it is a clear sign that your tyres need replacing.

etyres makes tyre replacement easy, offering a huge choice of premium and budget options along with mobile fitting at a time and place that suits you. To get the best performance during the warmer months, it is also worth considering switching to summer tyres. These are specially designed to handle higher temperatures, offering better grip, shorter braking distances, and improved fuel efficiency.

Essential Warm Weather Maintenance Checklist

A few simple checks now can help you avoid costly problems later in the year. Here is a quick maintenance checklist to get your car ready for spring and summer:

• Tyre pressure and tread depth: Check that your tyre pressures match the manufacturer’s recommendations, adjusting for heavier loads if needed. Inspect tread depth to ensure it meets the legal minimum and provides enough grip for wet or dry conditions.
• Brake inspection: After a winter of salt, grit, and cold weather, it is important to have your brakes checked for wear or corrosion. Good braking performance is vital as driving speeds often increase in better weather.
• Top up fluids: Make sure your coolant, engine oil, and windscreen washer fluid are all at the correct levels. Fresh fluids help your engine stay cool and running smoothly.
• Battery check: Winter can be tough on car batteries, often leaving them weaker as temperatures rise. If your battery is more than a few years old, or if you have noticed slow starts, it is worth getting it tested.
• Air conditioning service: As the weather heats up, a fully functioning air conditioning system is essential. Servicing it now means you will stay cool and comfortable when the first hot days arrive.

Taking the time to complete these checks will help your car perform at its best all season long.

Tips for Smoother, Safer Warm Weather Driving

A few small changes to your driving habits can make a big difference when the weather heats up:

• Adjust tyre pressure: Always check your tyre pressures before a long journey, especially if you are carrying extra passengers or luggage. Overloaded cars with incorrect pressures can be harder to control and increase tyre wear.
• Keep your emergency kit stocked: In addition to the usual essentials, make sure your kit includes extra water, sun protection, and a spare tyre in good condition. A breakdown in high temperatures can become uncomfortable very quickly.
• Drive conservatively during heatwaves: Tyre blowouts are more common on very hot days. Avoid heavy braking and high-speed driving where possible, and keep a close eye on how your tyres are performing.
• Wash your car regularly: Pollen, dust, and dirt build up much faster in spring and summer. Regular washing not only keeps your car looking good but also helps prevent damage to the paintwork and keeps sensors and cameras clear.

Following these tips will help you enjoy safer, more reliable driving all through the warmer months.

Why Choose etyres for Your Spring and Summer Car Care

Getting your car ready for the warmer months is easy with etyres. We stock a huge range of summer and all-season tyres from leading brands, giving you plenty of choice whether you are looking for premium performance or great value.

Our mobile fitting service means you do not even need to leave home or work to get your new tyres fitted. Simply order online, choose a time that suits you, and our expert fitters will take care of the rest.

If you are unsure which tyres are best for spring and summer driving, our team is always on hand to offer advice. We will help you find the right option based on your driving style, typical journeys, and budget, so you can hit the road with complete confidence.