Road trip ready? Volvo’s essential summer health check

Tyres

Firstly, tyres. Look for the obvious stuff – cuts or nails – and the less obvious stuff, such as uneven wear to the tread. Across the tyre, the legal minimum for tread depth is 1.6mm – but it’s worth changing them before it gets too close. If the tyres are cracked, or there are obvious bulges in the tyre wall, definitely get them checked by an expert.

Be sure to check the tyre pressure – and do it when the tyres are cold, as heat from driving affects the pressure. You can usually find the correct tyre pressure on the pillar next to the driver’s door.

It’s important because under- and over inflation can affect stability and cause blowouts – as well as decrease fuel efficiency.

Battery

A quick battery check can save a lot of hassle. All batteries degrade over time – older batteries can still seem to work fine, but a multimeter will show if all cells are still live and well.

If the car isn’t going to be driven much for a couple of weeks over the summer, or might be used for more short trips to the beach than usual, giving the engine less time to recharge the battery, it’s worth checking.

Wipers

Taking a quick look at the wiper blades is also worth doing – dull blades can make life difficult in a summer downpour.

Wipers are cheap and easy to replace. Find out how to change the wiper blades here, or ask your Volvo Car Australia retailer’s technician to do it during a service visit.

Book a summer health check

Too busy planning and packing? Bring your Volvo into your local dealer this summer for a comprehensive health check.^ It covers:

Brakes check
Battery check
Cooling system check
Tyre pressure/condition check
Lights check
AC check
Wash & vac
Need a pre-holiday safety check? Find your local Volvo retailer here.

^Available at all participating authorised Volvo retailers between 1 November 2024 and 28 February 2025. Your Volvo needs to be booked with your preferred Volvo retailer for the Summer Health CHeck and bookings are subject to availability. Available for all Volvo models. The Summer Health Check is not a substitute for regularly scheduled servicing.