Are you planning a road trip this summer? Amid the frenzy of packing sunglasses, sun cream and a good book, don’t forget to check your vehicle, or you could end up spending some of your precious holiday on the side of a road. We take a look at the most important things you need to check before you take to the road for a long journey.
Coolant – keep an eye out for the warning light at all times, but before a long journey check your coolant and top up if it seems low. Find out more about anti-freeze and coolant here.
Spare Tyres – if you have a new car, the likelihood is that it won’t be fitted with a spare, but will come with foam to fix a flat temporarily until you reach a garage. If you have an older car, check your spare is in good condition before you leave.
Windscreen Fluid – peering through a dusty, smeared windscreen is annoying as well as dangerous. Make sure you top up before you go. Special windscreen fluid from the garage is best as it contains detergent and antifreeze, but if you need to, you can just use water.
Oil – driving long distances on low oil can seriously damage your car. Use a clean dipstick to check your oil and top up if necessary. We recently wrote more about oil which you can read here.
Tyre Tread and Pressure – Driving on bald tyres is illegal, and can earn you 3 points and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre. Getting the pressure right for the temperatures and conditions you will be driving in will improve your control on your tyres and optimise your MPG. Your tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the centre of the tyre and the recommended tyre pressure will be in your vehicle manual. If in doubt, check with your local garage.
Lights - you may not realise how important your lights are until they stop working! Prevent potentially dangerous situations and reduce the risk of being pulled over by checking all of your lights (yes, ALL of your lights) are working.
Hoses – a cursory glance at hoses will tell you if you have a potential problem. Park your vehicle in a clean spot for a couple of hours and check underneath for dripping oil or water.
Fan Belt – take a look at your fan belt for any obvious signs of perishing or wear and tear. After a while, the rubber of the fan belt can stretch – make sure it isn’t too loose.
Even if your car has had a fairly recent MOT and service, there could be minor issues with your vehicle. If you are in any doubt about your road safety, take your vehicle for a quick check at your local garage – it could save you a fine, points on your licence, or even lives.
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