You ever find yourself thinking

“Why does my car always break when it’s freezing”
“Do I really need to do anything before a heatwave”
“Is this just the garage trying to upsell me again”

I’ve been there
I ignored it once
Ended up stuck on the side of the M6
In the snow
Wearing heels

Here’s my simple and honest seasonal maintenance: winter prep & summer tune up checklist
No overthinking
No panic
Just what keeps your car alive through the seasons

I’m Myriam
Makeup artist
Recovering neglecter of car maintenance
And here’s what actually works

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Why Seasonal Maintenance Even Matters

Because cars hate extremes
✅ Cold can kill batteries and freeze fluids
✅ Heat can ruin tyres and overheat engines

Spend an hour now
Save hundreds later
And avoid standing in the rain waiting for the AA

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Winter Prep Checklist

Here’s what I do every autumn — before the first frost shows up

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1. Check The Battery

✅ Weak batteries die faster in the cold
✅ If it’s over 3 years old — test it
✅ Keep jumper cables handy just in case

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2. Inspect The Tyres

✅ Make sure tread depth is above 3mm
✅ Check pressures — cold weather lowers them
✅ Consider winter tyres if you’re in a snowy area

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3. Top Up Antifreeze

✅ Make sure coolant is at the proper level and mixed correctly
✅ Stops the engine from freezing or overheating

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4. Check Wipers & Washer Fluid

✅ Replace worn blades
✅ Use winter washer fluid — it won’t freeze on the glass

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5. Pack An Emergency Kit

✅ Blanket
✅ Torch
✅ Snacks
✅ De–icer
✅ Gloves

Because waiting in a freezing car without these is brutal

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Summer Tune Up Checklist

Once the sun shows up — do these before it melts your car (and you)

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1. Check The Air Conditioning

✅ Make sure it blows cold
✅ If it’s weak — probably just needs a recharge

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2. Inspect Tyres Again

✅ Heat can make them overinflate
✅ Look for cracks or bubbles from hot roads

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3. Coolant & Radiator Check

✅ Heat puts a load on the cooling system
✅ Flush and refill coolant if it’s old
✅ Look for leaks

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4. Oil & Filters

✅ Hot engines need clean oil
✅ Consider an oil change if you’re due soon

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5. Clean & Protect The Interior

✅ Sun wrecks dashboards and seats
✅ Use sunshades and wipe everything down with UV protectant

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My Own Seasonal Maintenance Story

One winter
I didn’t bother checking my tyres
Woke up to a flat
Missed work
Neighbour had to help
Embarrassing and expensive

Now I run through this list twice a year
Takes less than an hour
Keeps me ahead of the game

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Quick Tips To Make It Easy

☑ Put reminders in your phone — October and May
☑ Keep basic tools and fluids in the boot
☑ If you’re not confident — pay a garage to do a seasonal check
☑ Always keep your fuel above quarter full in winter — prevents freezing

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FAQs About Seasonal Maintenance: Winter Prep & Summer Tune Up Checklist

Do I really need winter tyres?

If you live somewhere icy or snowy — yes. Otherwise, good all–seasons will do.

How often should I test my battery?

At least before every winter.

Does hot weather really damage cars?

Yes — especially tyres and cooling systems.

What happens if I skip all this?

You’ll find out — usually when it’s most inconvenient.

Can I do most of this myself?

Absolutely — most of it is visual checks and top ups.

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Final Word On Seasonal Maintenance: Winter Prep & Summer Tune Up Checklist

If you follow this seasonal maintenance: winter prep & summer tune up checklist
You’ll keep your car running
You’ll save yourself a fortune
And you won’t have to call for help when everyone else is too busy

Do it now
Before you need it
And thank yourself later