Maintenance — Summer checklist
Spanish summers are spectacular. But they're also brutal on vehicles. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C in the Costa Blanca, motorways fill up with holiday traffic, and air conditioning systems run non-stop for months.
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February 16, 20264 minA little preparation before the season starts can prevent a breakdown at the worst possible moment. Here's what we check every summer at Motorplus — and what you should check too.
This is the big one. Coolant (antifreeze) prevents your engine from overheating — and overheating in summer traffic is one of the most common causes of roadside breakdowns in Spain.
💡 Tip: If your temperature gauge climbs higher than normal in traffic, pull over safely, turn off the engine, and call us. Never remove the cap to add water when hot.
Oil lubricates your engine. In summer heat it degrades faster, and a low oil level in high temperatures can cause serious engine damage very quickly.
Spanish summer without working air con isn't just uncomfortable — it's a safety issue, as heat affects concentration and reaction times.
Drop your vehicle off before noon. We handle the rest. Drive home tonight with fresh oil, new filters, and zero stress.
AC refrigerant degrades over time and most manufacturers recommend a recharge every 2–3 years.
Tyre pressure drops approximately 1 PSI for every 10°C drop in temperature — meaning as summer heats things up, pressure actually increases. More importantly, underinflated tyres in summer heat flex more, generate more heat, and are significantly more prone to blowouts on motorways.
Mountain roads, long motorway descents, and stop-start coastal traffic are all hard on brakes. Before a summer of long drives, it's worth a quick check.
Contrary to popular belief, summer is actually harder on car batteries than winter. Heat accelerates the chemical reaction inside the battery and can cause fluid to evaporate, shortening battery life.
Summer brings sand from the Sahara (calima), insects, and dust. Combined with the sun at low angles morning and evening, a dirty or damaged windscreen is a real hazard.
Easy to forget but often caught at ITV. Walk around the car and check all lights work — headlights (full and dipped), indicators front and rear, brake lights, and reverse light.
We offer a comprehensive pre-trip check covering all of the above and more. Bring your car in, we'll go through it systematically and give you an honest report on what's good and what needs attention — before you hit the road.
The Motorplus Team are the mechanics and car care specialists behind Motorplus Denia. Based on the Costa Blanca, we work with cars, vans, pickups, and SUVs every day — and we believe good advice should be as honest as the work we do. No jargon, no upselling, just straight talk about keeping your vehicle safe and roadworthy.
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Maintenance — Summer checklist
* Same-day service applies to vehicles dropped off before 12:00 PM. Completion by 7:00 PM is subject to the required oil, filter, and parts being available in stock at the time of drop-off. Should any parts need to be ordered, we will contact you with an updated timeline before beginning any work. Motorplus — no surprises, no hidden costs.