Heading off on a long drive? Whether you are on a road trip, vacation or going on a business trip, it is important that you take the time to make sure that your car is in good condition before hitting the road. You do not want to have your trip ruined by a problem with the car, so here are a few important vehicle checks and maintenance tasks to carry out before heading off.
Check the Oil & Coolant Level
You certainly do not want to experience any engine problems on your trip, especially if you will be in the middle of nowhere. This is why you need to perform vehicle checks like measuring the engine oil and coolant level before leaving and top up if required.
Fuel
Obviously, you also want to make sure that you have enough fuel to last until you can reach a petrol station. It is a good idea to map out your journey and plan where you will stop along the way for fuel and for food (make sure you have snacks in the car as well!).
Planning these rest stops along the way allows everyone to have a short break to recoup before heading out on the road again.
Wiper Fluid
Another important fluid to check is your wiper fluid. You never know what the weather will be like in the UK, so you want to make sure that your wipers are able to work properly during a long drive.
Check the Lights
You also want to check all of your lights before heading off – you certainly don’t want to be driving without the use of all of your lights as this is dangerous but could also see you pulled over.
Check the Tyres
You also want to make sure that you have tyres that will last the trip – keep in mind that long journeys will result in some wear and tear. Therefore, you should check the tyre pressure and tread depth before you set off as well as examine the tyres for any damage. It is smart to check the tyres well in advance of the trip so that you have plenty of time to get Michelin tyres as replacements if required.
Air Con
You do not want to be making a long journey in the middle of summer without air con! This is why you should always check that it is working before setting off and get the system re-gassed or fixed before your trip.
These are the main vehicle checks that you will want to complete before setting off on a long drive. You do not want to experience any trouble on the road, especially if you are on holiday, so it is important to make sure that the car is in good condition and ready for a long drive before you hit the road. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get any repairs/replacements so that you do not have to cancel the trip and pack the vehicle manual just in case!