Is your car ready for the holidays?
Five simple car safety checks to make before you set off
As the weather gets warmer, thoughts turn towards the precious annual holiday. If you are planning a holiday with the car, at home or abroad, there are five simple car safety checks to make before you head off, that could save you a lot of trouble and help keep your family safe.
A recent Continental Tyres survey of 2,000 motorists showed that one in five tidy the inside of their car just once a year, generally ahead of an NCT or garage visit.
Give the interior a clean
The majority of motorists are not particularly careful about keeping their cars very clean – inside or out. A recent Continental Tyres survey of 2,000 motorists showed that one in five tidy the inside of their car just once a year, generally ahead of an NCT or garage visit. However, before you embark on a long road trip, it’s important to have the inside clear of clutter. Not just for aesthetic reasons, but for safety reasons too. For example, an empty can, bottle or other piece of rubbish rolling under the brake pedal could have very serious consequences.
Check the tyres
Having shoddy tyres in bad condition can lead to trouble, or even accidents and Advance Pitstop recommend regular tyre safety checks to avoid this. After all, tyres are your only point of contact with the road. So the next time you fill up your car with fuel, check both the air pressure and the tread depth of all tyres, including the spare wheel. If there are any bulges or cracks, take your car to your nearest garage to have them professionally checked.
If the wipers are not clearing rain away completely, replace them before you set off
Check the windscreen wipers
On holiday, we all hope for good weather but sometimes it doesn’t always go according to plan. To be ready for those sudden, heavy summer downpours, check the condition of your car’s wiper blades. Lift the front and rear windscreen wipers away from the glass and check that the rubber blade hasn’t worn down or peeled away from its base. If the wipers are not clearing rain away completely, replace them before you set off. You can find stock for all makes and models in Advance Pitstop.
Check the lights
Driving with defective lights is illegal, because of the danger it poses to you and to other road users. So before you head off, ask a family member or friend to walk around your car as you switch on the side lights, fog lamps, reversing lights, headlights, operate the main beam and then check the indicators and brake lights. If you are travelling to the continent, don’t forget to use headlamp converter stickers so that your headlights don’t dazzle oncoming traffic.
It should be serviced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, which can be found in the car’s handbook.
Check the service schedule
Occasionally checking the level of oil in the engine is not enough to keep your car in good condition. It should be serviced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, which can be found in the car’s handbook. During its service, important items such as the tyres, brakes, suspension, engine, exhaust, and transmission will all be inspected. And simple items such as the filters will be changed, important when you are embarking on a long drive or driving in warm weather. You don’t want to circulate dirty air in the car or – even worse – risk a breakdown because an old fuel filter is clogged with debris.
To ensure your car is fully prepared for your summer trip, you can get a range of car and tyre services at your local Advance Pitstop. For more #drivesafer tips visit our safety centre and safety centre blog, or get a car insurance quote here.