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How to prepare your car for the main motoring season

Spring and, in particular, summer with its vacations are demanding times for a car and its driver. Most drivers travel more often and a car therefore has to be thoroughly prepared. Regular care for your car brings mobility, and, most importantly, safety for your car’s crew. In addition, it extends your car’s service life. What should preparation include?  

Summer tyre change and check-up

We shouldn’t use winter tyres in temperatures higher than + 7 C. They are made from softer blends and suffer more wear and tear at higher temperatures. It is better to change whole wheels than just to swap the tyres on the wheel rims.


This reduces the risk of damage. A set of complete winter wheels can be stored with an authorised Škoda service partner,  in accordance with the manufacturer’s regulations. Before the season, check the state of your wheels and that they are correctly balanced and the tyres correctly pumped up. The depth of the tread is important. The law stipulates the minimum depth of tread for cars at 1.6 mm, although the tread should be at least 4 mm high according to experts. 

Check on brake system
Increased demands are placed on the brake system throughout winter, so we should have a car's brake system checked after winter. In particular, we should check for brake fluid leaks, the state of the brake pipes, discs and pads.


The brake system has to work with the same intensity for all the wheels without side effects. We recommend visiting an authorised Škoda service partner and measuring the effectiveness of the brakes on equipment approved by the manufacturer.
Chassis check

Every car needs to be cleaned and desalted after the winter. It is important to focus in particular on a car’s underside and wheel arches, where most road salt is deposited. After washing, it is necessary to check the state of anti-corrosion protection on the car’s underside.

Any indications of damage should be expertly repaired. Authorised Škoda service partners have suitable spraying substances, are equipped with the necessary facilities and know the application procedures. Inappropriate material or technology not recommended by the manufacturer may damage anti-corrosion protection irretrievably. It is also important to have an authorised Škoda service partner check the state of the exhaust system. 

Check on cooling system

The cooling system is seriously tested during the main motoring season. It is therefore necessary to have it thoroughly checked by an authorised Škoda service partner. It is important, in particular, to focus on a check on its sealing, ascertain the level of the coolant and, if necessary, top it up or replace it.  

Check on battery

We recommend that before the period starts you have your battery checked at a Škoda service centre, or have it charged and its poles cleaned, as they have to be free of oxidation traces and also properly drawn tight. It is also appropriate to check the thickness of the electrolyte and possibly top-up distilled water. 

Check on shock absorbers

Due to the action of water and frost, roads tend to be damaged after the winter. For a safe drive it is necessary to check the shock absorbers, in particular their sealing, suspension and attenuation characteristics. 

Check on lighting

Properly adjusted headlights are important for a safe drive. We recommend that they be adjusted on the correct equipment at an authorised Škoda service partner. Please also check whether you have replacement bulbs of each type in your car for the outer lights and signals, as well as replacement fuses. 

Check on windscreen wipers, squirters and lights

Windscreen wipers and squirters are often wrongly regarded as one of the least important parts of your car. Our safety depends on the quality of our view, in particular in unfavourable weather conditions. In the case of windscreen wipers, it is recommended that the wipers be replaced every 6 months.

The functionality of squirters needs to be checked. The squirting system should always be filled with a suitable blend of water and a recommended fluid, e.g. from the range of Škoda original accessories. Strong concentrates, where only 50 ml of a preparation is added to the total contents, are recommended.

Check on air conditioning
The error-free functioning of the air-conditioning is important for safety and a feeling of comfort. After the winter, it pays to check the state of the air conditioning and perform preventative disinfection. Care should also be taken with car ventilation and the filters.
Check on engine space

Anti-corrosion protection is important, in particular when in the winter we drive on roads treated with road salt. For this reason it is necessary to thoroughly clean the car’s engine space and preserve it in such a manner that the damaging effects of salt are eliminated to the maximum possible degree.

Authorised Škoda service partners have all cleaning and preserving products recommended by the manufacturer and are also equipped with all the necessary equipment. It is also necessary to check the amount of engine oil and, if appropriate, top it up.

Lubrication of hinges and door locks
After winter driving, it is important to check the state of the hinges and door locks. If needed, the hinges and door locks can be treated by applying a recommended preparation.
What else to take with you in addition to mandatory car accessories
  • Replacement filler for the squirters  
  • For older models, replacement filler for the cooling system 
  • 1 l of engine oil for any top-ups

Every year, authorised service partners prepare seasonal checks on cars for you, as a part of specially priced spring, summer and winter events. Check with your authorised Škoda service partner to find out what is currently on offer.