How to Prepare Your Land Rover for Summer | The Essential Checklist

With summer finally arriving, it’s the perfect time to make sure your Land Rover is ready for
the warmer months ahead. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a tow across the country or
simply the daily school run, summer puts a different kind of strain on your vehicle than winter
does. Here’s our guide on how to prepare your Land Rover for summer… straight from the
specialist technicians at Broadfields Garage in Great Dunmow.

Check Your Cooling System

Summer heat is the number one enemy of your Land Rover’s cooling system. Higher
ambient temperatures mean your engine has to work harder to stay cool. If your
coolant levels are low or your system has any weaknesses, they’ll show up now rather than
in winter.

• Check coolant levels and top up if needed (always use the correct specification for
  your model).
• Inspect hoses and connections for any signs of cracking, swelling or leaks
• If your temperature gauge is running higher than normal, get it checked immediately. Overheating can cause serious engine damage
• Consider a cooling system flush if it hasn’t been done in the last two years

Get Your Air Conditioning Serviced

Nothing ruins a summer drive faster than a broken air conditioning system. Land Rover air
conditioning loses around 10% of its efficiency every year, so if it hasn’t been serviced in the
last two years it’s likely underperforming. An air conditioning service (or regas) takes
around an hour and makes a significant difference to cabin comfort on hot days.
It’s also worth noting that running your air conditioning regularly (even in winter) actually
helps keep the system in good condition by keeping the seals lubricated. If yours has been
off all winter, give it a test run before the real heat arrives.

Check Your Tyres

Tyre pressure increases in hot weather as air expands with heat, and overinflated tyres
wear unevenly and affect handling. Check your tyre pressures regularly throughout summer,
particularly before long journeys. While you’re at it, inspect tread depth and look for any
signs of cracking or damage to the sidewalls.

If your Land Rover is running on winter tyres, now is the time to swap back to summer or all-
season tyres. Our team at Broadfields can supply and fit Land Rover tyres for all models. Give us a call and we’ll have the right rubber sorted for you.

Test Your Battery

Most people associate battery failure with cold winter mornings, but heat is actually just as
damaging to your battery as cold. High temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions
inside the battery, which can shorten its lifespan significantly. If your battery is more than
three years old, it’s worth having it tested before summer to avoid being caught out.

Check Brakes and Suspension

If you’re planning any towing (a caravan, trailer or boat) summer is peak season for it,
and it puts extra demands on your brakes and suspension. Land Rovers are well suited to
towing, but only when the brakes and suspension are in good condition. Before hitching up, make sure your brake pads have sufficient life left and your suspension has been recently checked.

If you drive a Range Rover with air suspension, keep an eye out for any sagging, warning lights or unusual noises. Air suspension issues tend to become more noticeable in summer when the vehicle is being used more heavily.

Book a Summer Health Check

The easiest way to make sure your Land Rover is summer-ready is to book it in for a health
check with a specialist who knows these vehicles inside out. At Broadfields, we’ll work
through all of the above (and more!) to make sure your Land Rover is in peak condition
before the warmer months get fully underway.

Based in Great Dunmow, we serve customers across Essex and Hertfordshire and offer a
convenient collection and delivery service if you can’t get to us. Call us on 01371 872 940 or
email us at info@broadfieldsgarage.co.uk to book your summer health check today. Don’t wait until something
goes wrong on the motorway.