As we move into the warmer months, more people are embarking on family road trips in their cars. It’s the time of year where a few hours of driving becomes the norm, as people set out to explore the country. Long journeys can be an enjoyable experience for all, so long as your car performs as it should.
To make sure you don’t hit any bumps in the road if you’re heading off on a long car journey, you should make sure you prepare your car as much as you can. When we say prepare your car, we’re not just talking about packing your luggage well and having your favourite songs at the ready, we’re talking about the nitty-gritty, and making sure your car is fully functional and working efficiently.
Your Car
There are many things you should check on your car before setting off on a long journey. Here are a few of the most important ones to help you get back to basics and give your car a thorough look over.
Tyres
Your tyres are arguably the most important component of your car despite them being widely overlooked. Think about it, they are the only thing between your car and the road. You wouldn’t set off on a long walk without decent shoes, so why would you go for a long car ride without checking your tyres?
First, give your tyres an inspection. Is there any visible strain, bulges or damage? If you’re unsure, learn more about how to spot tyre damage in this here. If you do spot damage, it may be time to get them replaced. Also, be sure to check both your tyre tread and tyre pressure. Over or under inflated tyres can cause you issues once you’re on the road. Research from TyreSafe says that 80% of tyre blowouts are caused by underinflation. Underinflation is also a major contributor to aquaplaning, should you get caught in the rain.
The legal limit for your tyre tread is 1.6 mm. But, even if your car tyres have a tyre tread that is over the limit, it does not necessarily mean they are safe, particularly if you’re travelling for a long journey over difficult terrain. So, if you’re tyre tread is getting below the 3 mm mark, you might want to consider replacing them. If you do need to replace your tyres, you may find that opting for a premium brand such as Dunlop, is more cost-effective in the long run and will perform better on the road.
Fluid Levels
Before you take off on a long car journey, you should also make sure that all the fluid levels on your car are within the recommended minimum and maximums. ‘Fluid levels’ in your car refers to many things, so make sure you don’t forget one of them.
A good place to start is to check the level of your screen wash or wiper fluid. This is usually easily visible under your car bonnet. Making sure yours is full will make sure you don’t end up driving with dirty windscreen and nothing to clean it with. Check your engine oil level by removing the dipstick, wiping it clean, then reinserting it so you can get a clean read of the oil level. If you think it is too low, you may need to check your owner’s manual for recommendations.
Another fluid you should check is your coolant. This usually looks like a plastic container near your car radiator. It’s an important one to check, because, without coolant, your engine is likely to overheat.
After you’ve checked these, take a look at your brake fluid level. You can usually find it in a clear reservoir with minimum and maximum markings. If it’s low, this could indicate a larger issue like a leak or excessive wear and tear on your brake pads, and you may need to have it looked at by a professional.
Lastly, don’t forget to check your power steering fluid, which should also be between the minimum and maximum markings. You’ll usually find this in a small tank near the firewall. Checking all of these fluid levels will stop you from running into any problems when you’re on the road, which is especially helpful if you’re miles away from home with a car full of people.
Lights
The lights on your car are extremely important. Setting off on any car journey, let alone a long one, with lights that aren’t working properly can have devastating consequences. To recap, you should make sure you check your headlights, fog lights, rear lights, brake lights, indicators and don’t forget your number plate bulbs.
Checking your headlights and rear lights is simple. Just turn on your electrics and walk around your car. It is best to wait until dark to see your fog lights, as you will be able to see that they’re working more easily. To check your brake lights, you will need a helper. Then, you can lightly press the brakes (while the electrics are on), while your helper walks around the back of the car to check that they’re working.
Your indicators are a safety feature, so you’ll want to make sure they’re in good working order and before a long journey is a good time to check. Similarly to your other checks, turn on your car electrics, switch on your indicators and walk around the car to take a look.
Number plate bulbs are usually the lights on a car which are forgotten about. Any time that your headlights are on, your number plate bulbs should also come on, so that people can read your number plate while you’re driving in the dark. Most vehicles have bulbs located above the plate, so be sure to check these are working when you’re inspecting the lights on your car.
Components to Check
In addition to your tyres, fluid levels and lights, there are many other components that you should check such as your brakes, fuses, born, wipers, flush radiator, power steering and air conditioner (especially if it’s going to be hot).
Having all of these components fully functional will help you to have a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
Prepare for the Worst
If your car is structurally sound and ready for take off, there are a couple of things which you can do to ensure your car is fully prepared for a long trip. Sometimes, this involves preparing for the worst because should you end up in an accident, you want to have all the proper equipment with you.
This might include packing a first aid kit, high visibility vests and a torch. This equipment will make a real difference, should the worst happen, and your car is involved in an incident.
Tidy Car, Tidy Mind
You’re sure to have heard the phrase “tidy house, tidy mind”, or maybe even “tidy desk, tidy mind”. Well, the phrase really does apply to everything, and you may find that your long car journey is a lot more enjoyable when your vehicle is clean and tidy. This applies to both the inside and the outside of your car.
Removing excess clutter from your car will help you to fit in any luggage you need and all of your passengers comfortably. You might want to add a rubbish bag to your car too, so your litter is taken care of.
Driving Abroad
If you’re driving somewhere abroad this year, it is important that you prepare your car with all the required equipment for the country you are visiting. You’ll also need all of the necessary documentation to allow you to drive, which again, varies by country.
If you are worried about replacing your tyres in preparation for a long journey, take a look at the range of Dunlop tyres available at Asda Tyres. We offer these premium tyres at a price that won’t break the bank.