If you’re planning a road trip this year, it’s important that you are fully prepared for every eventuality. Not only do you yourself need to be prepared, but so does your car! Ensuring that your car is in full working order means that there are less likely to cause issues once you start your journey. All road trips require careful planning so that you get the very best out of the experience and it’s not dampened by unexpected issues along the way. Read on to find out more about our tips and tricks to ensuring you have a great road trip.
Checks to do before you leave
Before you leave for your road trip, it’s essential that you conduct some key checks on your vehicle to ensure it’s in full working order and that there are no issues on the road:
Check your tyres
Your tyres are one of the most important components of your car and it’s important that they are in optimal condition before you drive any distance. Your tyres should have a sufficient tread depth of a minimum of 1.6mm - but it is recommended that your tyres are replaced once they reach 3mm. This is important because if the weather turns at any point on the trip, your tyres will help to keep you safe on wet and dangerous roads. These sorts of checks are important to do on a regular basis but are even more important before you go on a long trip.
As well as tread depth, you should also ensure the tyre pressure is also optimal. Having the correct pressure ensures that your tyres aren’t over or under-inflated - over-inflated means that you risk a blow out and increases the risk of aquaplaning if you hit a puddle. Under-inflated could increase fuel consumption, increase tyre wear and could cause braking and steering issues.
Check your lights
There are many lights on your car that should be checked before you set off of your journey. You should check your headlights to ensure both are in full working order, as well as checking your main beam to ensure you can see into the distance ahead of you. Make sure all of your indicators are working properly and ensure your brake and rear lights are working by asking someone to stand behind the car and check they are lighting up as they should, when they should.
Check the windscreen wipers
Your windscreen wipers are important during wet weather to ensure that your field of vision is kept clear at all times. If you start seeing streaks on the screen whenever your wipers go over it, you may need to look into getting your wipers changed. Having a clear screen is vital for visibility and it’s important to ensure your wipers are able to clear the dirt and rain from your screen - especially if it has just rained and the ground is still wet.
Make sure you have plenty of washer bottle fluid before you go on a long road trip - when you travel through the countryside, mud and dirt from the fields can cover the screen so it’s vital that you have enough fluid to keep the screen clean.
Planning your route
Before you set off on your road trip, you should spend some time in the days leading up to it to plan your route. This way, you can plan for stops and if you need services at any point during your journey. It’s also best to find out where congestion is likely to happen so you can either avoid it by taking a different route, or make plans to leave earlier or later to ensure you don’t get caught out.
Apps like Google Maps allow you to specify the time and date you’ll be leaving and what the traffic is likely to be like based on past data. This can be a useful feature when you want to get to your destination without worrying about getting caught in traffic.
Other ways to prepare your car for a long road trip
Whilst you need to ensure your car is in good condition for the journey, there are some other ways that you can prepare your car:
Roof box
If you’re planning a long journey or planning to stay away for a few days or weeks, it could be a good idea to install a roof box on your car. A roof box is ideal for those who have a smaller car and may not be able to fit all of their belongings in the boot. Roof boxes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you can buy the right size for your needs.
Heat waves
If you plan to travel during the hotter months, you should be aware of any heat waves that are forecast. If you are travelling a long distance, you will need to ensure you are prepared - wear loose clothing, pack plenty of water and consider bringing a freezer box. It’s also recommended to bring water for your pets. These are also essential if you break down or are planning on driving without stopping.
Ensure your air conditioning is in full working order if you need to travel in the heat of the day, but try to travel in the morning and evenings when the temperature is a more manageable level. If you park up at any point in your journey, try to aim for the shadier parking spots so that your car is kept as cool as possible.
Entertainment for the kids
If you are taking the kids along on your travels, make sure that they have plenty to keep them occupied on the journey. You might want to consider taking:
- Handheld gaming consoles
- Travel games
- Films or TV shows downloaded onto a laptop or tablet
- Music
- Fidget toys
- Play old-fashioned games, like eye-spy
- Snacks and drinks to stave off hunger
- Plan breaks at service stations to allow the kids to stretch their legs
- Colouring or activity books
- Take pillows and blankets for a nap
General road trip tips
Avoid rush hour and late night driving - being stuck in queues on the motorways or A-roads can ruin the road trip experience by putting a damper on your mood. Late night driving runs the risk of the driver becoming drowsy at the wheel, putting themselves, their family or friends and other road users at risk.
Swap drivers - if there are multiple people joining you on the trip and they can drive and are insured on the vehicle, take it in turns to share some of the driving. This way, each person gets a chance to rest and recuperate before they need to take over again.
Ensure you are prepared in case you break down - always make sure you have some important numbers written down somewhere, just in case you lose power on your phone, have no way to charge it and need to use someone else’s. Ensure you have your insurance provider’s details so that if you have an accident, you can swap details. Also make sure you have your breakdown cover’’ number to call for help should you break down.
Ensure the tank is always filled up - don’t be caught miles away from civilisation with no fuel. Always make sure you keep at least above a quarter of a tank available. If necessary, take a fuel canister with you to top up in case of emergencies.
Get road trip-ready with Swansway
Whether you’re travelling far and wide or only driving for a few hours, it’s vital to ensure your car is in top condition to get you from A to B safely. At Swansway, we offer a variety of services to make sure your car is in the best possible condition and road-worthy. Take a look at our MOT and servicing options to see how we can help you look after your car. We also have a range of vehicle accessories available for a range of our cars to help you be fully prepared for the long-haul journey. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.