Summer is over, and it’s time to return to the school run. Time to trade unpacking suitcases for packing school bags, the motorway playlist for the school-gate scramble, and the leisurely ice cream stop for the countdown to the first bell.
But one big change that’s important to remember: your car journeys. After getting used to those hours-long motorway drives with a loaded boot, air-con blasting and slow traffic, it’s time to switch to a completely different routine. Shorter journeys, stop-start traffic, darker mornings, wet roads. And these changes will affect your daily drives more than you think.
So before you start that first week of term, it’s worth doing some simple back-to-school car checks just to ensure things run smoothly. These checks are relatively hassle-free, and you’ll even be able to do most of them on a drive.
Lights and Bulbs
As we move into September, the mornings are getting darker, and soon everyone will be navigating in half-light. You’ll be relying on your lights more than ever during these upcoming autumn months, and you might not notice if one goes out until someone flashes you, or worse, until it matters.
Walk around the car with the lights on. Check headlights (dipped and full beam), brake lights, indicators and fog lights. To check your brake lights, reverse close to a garage door or window at night and tap the brake, you’ll see the reflection. Or just ask someone to stand behind while you press the pedal.
A blown bulb is a straightforward MOT failure, but more importantly, it’s a safety issue on busy roads near schools where kids are crossing.
Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid
Summer heat can degrade rubber quicker than you might expect. And as we head into the rainier autumn months, it’s important to ensure that your wipers are up to the task. Any smearing, streaking or juddering could mean that they’ll need replacing before any visibility issues arise.
That combination of low morning sun plus a wet windscreen can be genuinely dangerous. Good wipers and a full washer bottle make a bigger difference than you’d expect. Top up your washer fluid now, don’t wait until the light comes on.
Brake Condition
If your car spent the summer doing long motorway runs, your brake pads have likely been put to good use. But now you’re heading back into the school-run, you’ll be switching to short, frequent stops in school-zone traffic, and you’ll need responsive brakes to get you through it.
While you drive, listen for any squealing or grinding when you brake. If the pedal feels soft or the car pulls to one side under braking, get it looked at before the term starts. You can book in with us if you’re not sure. Remember: brakes aren’t something to ‘keep an eye on’, they either work properly or they don’t.
Tyre Tread and Pressure
After a big trip with a fully-loaded boot, your tyres may be more worn than you think, especially after hours on those hot summer roads. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but grip drops off well before that, particularly on wet roads. To check tread, pop a 20p into the main tread grooves. If you can see the outer band, your tread is getting low.
You can also check your pressures too. Under-inflated tyres affect handling and increase stopping distances, which is exactly what you don’t want on a wet school-run morning. Your correct pressures are usually on a sticker inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual of your car.
We offer free tyre and level checks at Hildenborough MOT & Servicing, no booking needed. Just pop in any time.
Battery Health
Here’s one that trips people up every September. While your car battery coped fine in warm weather, it may not get the chance to fully charge now that it’s getting cooler and your drives are getting shorter. Short runs don’t give the alternator enough time to fully recharge the battery, so it gradually drains over the first few weeks of term. Add in heated screens, headlights and the blower going full blast, and a weaker battery may just let you down.
If your car’s been slow to start or the electrics have felt a bit sluggish, it’s worth getting the battery tested before it leaves you stranded on a Monday morning.
Oil and Coolant
While you’re under the bonnet, it’s worth checking your oil and coolant levels. Both are quick dipstick jobs that take about 30 seconds. After a summer of long, hot drives, oil levels can drop and coolant can get low, especially if your car has done more miles than usual. Low oil means more engine wear, and low coolant risks overheating in stop-start traffic. If either is below the minimum mark, top it up before term starts.
The Easy Way to Cover Everything
If you’d rather get it all checked in one go, you can always book in with Hildenborough MOT & Servicing and get everything sorted before the school run starts again. Our MOT & Service bundle covers the lot: brakes, lights, tyres, battery, fluids, and everything in between, starting from £179 + VAT.