As lockdown measures continue to lift, many people will be heading off on summer staycations, commuting to the office or going on those much-awaited long distance trips to see family and friends.

After long periods of inactivity, it's important to ensure your vehicle is ready and safe to get you back on the road, so Vertu Honda Grantham has pulled together some top tips:

1. Keep the air conditioning cool

Checking your A/C system year round is an important tip to be aware of, but particularly in the summer months and after long periods of inactivity. You need to ensure this is working properly so that you remain cool, and to avoid moisture fogging up the inside of the windows.

1. Check your engine oil

Even when your car is idle, the oil level can decrease, so it is important to check this to make sure it is as a safe level. We recommend that it is changed every 3,000-5,000 miles depending on usage and you must respond to any minder codes in a timely manner as this is one of the most important components in your vehicle – lubricating your engine components and preventing damage.

1. Regularly check your tyres

After any period of inactivity or generally on a regular basis, we recommend you check tyre pressure and ensure they are properly inflated to avoid a blowout. Rotating your tyres every 5,000 miles is also beneficial for maintaining their general condition as well as checking their pressure to give you the best fuel economy and prevent excess wear.

1. Have your battery checked

Excessive charging and over-heating can shorten your battery life, so to get the most of it, ensure you have your electrical system checked to make sure it's charging at the correct rate before you head back on to the road.

1. Don't let your brakes get rusty

Check for rust on your brakes. If a car sits idle, rust can start to form on the brake rotors, especially if the car is parked outside. Vertu Honda Grantham general manager Mark Goode says: "Now that lockdown restrictions are starting to ease, it's important to make sure your car is in the best possible condition as it may not have been run as normal for a number of months. "We are here to offer any help or advice – and for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle we have a huge range of options including the exciting arrival of our new electric and hybrid vehicles – the e:HEV Jazz and the Honda e." The Honda range features the brand-new Honda Jazz and much awaited Honda e and for those that would prefer to browse in person, the dealership is open and welcoming customers through the door, with extensive safety measures in place including staggered appointment times, capacity limits and sanitisation stations to protect the health and safety of both colleagues and customers. Contact Vertu Honda Grantham on 01476 575777 or email at [email protected] to book an appointment with the team .