Get your car road-trip ready
It’s
important to get your car in peak performance before leaving for your trip.
Follow these five tips to get your car ready, and take off with peace of mind.
Clean inside and out
No one likes sitting in a dirty car for hours on end. Take the time to clean your car inside and out. Give the dashboard a thorough wipe and vacuum your seats. While you’re at it, check your seatbelts work properly and make sure there are no warning lights on your dashboard.
Ensure your
windscreen is clean on both sides and your wipers are clearing the screen
completely. If not, replace your wiper
blades.
Book a car service
Leave
yourself time in the weeks leading up to your trip to get your car serviced by
your local mechanic. During your service, the mechanic should check your
steering, suspension, brakes and brake pads, and change the oil and filters.
Don’t
forget, if you’re a member with us you’ll get 10% off labour costs at
AutoServe, and have the option of paying in instalments.
Check the tyres
Before setting
off, take a look at the physical condition of your tyres. Check the tread depth
and make sure they’re evenly worn. If your tyres are ‘bald’, they won’t provide
enough grip on the road. If you're not sure what you're looking for, we have a video to help.
It’s also a
good idea to check the air pressure in your tyres. This can easily be done at
most service stations.
Check the fluid levels
If your
vehicle isn’t due for a service, before leaving home check the fluid levels under
the bonnet. This will include coolant fluid in the radiator and overflow
bottle, engine oil, brake fluid, wiper washers and power steering.
Check your
vehicle manual if you don’t know where these are located.
Check your lights
Check to make sure all your lights are working, this includes any trailers or caravans you might be towing. This is especially important if you’re travelling at dawn, dusk, or in the dark.
As always, if you break down along the way, give us a call and our roadside team will help you get back on track.