The number of people enjoying a staycation in the UK has boomed recently and, thanks to continued uncertainty, the trend looks set to carry on. Many summer holidays in the UK rely on a car as the main mode of transport, therefore it’s vital to make sure that your car is in tip top shape before you hit the road.
Here are some key car checks that you can do before a long journey to make sure your summer holiday in the UK doesn’t end before it’s started.
Tyres
First and foremost, it’s important to check the pressure in all of your tyres, including the spare. It’s good to get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure on a monthly basis, but especially if you’re heading off on a long journey. Under-inflated tyres are one of the biggest causes of blowouts, but even if they’re just slightly under the recommended pressure, it can cause your tyres to wear unevenly and affect braking distances. Most petrol stations offer air (either free or for a small charge) or you can check at home with a digital gauge. Also get into the habit of checking the tread on your tyres. The legal minimum is 1.6mm, however most experts recommend that you replace your tyres when they get to around 3mm. It’s super easy to check your tyre tread using a 20p. Simply take a coin and insert it into the grooves on your tyre and if you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. While you’re checking the pressure and tread, give your tyres a visual once over to check for bulges or signs of wear that can indicate that you need new tyres. Remember to check that the jack and locking wheel nut key are in your car, just in case you need them.
Check Oil and Coolant levels
It might seem daunting to lift the bonnet and do some simple maintenance checks on your car, but it’s actually quite simple once you know how. If you’re unsure of anything, refer to the owner’s manual before you start. Firstly, check the oil level by locating the dipstick (usually yellow or orange in colour) and pulling it out. The oil level should be between the max and min markers. If you need to top up with oil, refer to the owner’s manual to make sure you use the correct type. Oil is vital for lubricating the engine and keeping your car running well. If the level drops too low you could end up facing a hefty repair bill, when it’s actually really simple to check. Likewise, it’s important to keep the coolant topped up, especially during the summer. Coolant not only protects the engine from extreme cold during the winter, it also cools the engine during warm weather, which as you can imagine is crucial when you’re stuck on the motorway in holiday traffic!
Keep a Clear Windscreen
It might seem like more of a winter job, but it’s really important to keep your screenwash topped up in the summer. Windscreens can quickly become dusty or sticky with squashed bugs, so make sure your screenwash is full and your windscreen wipers are in good condition. If you’re holidaying in the UK, you will probably have to deal with rain at some point, plus wipers are prone to deteriorating so check there are no cracks or splits in the blades.
Lights
Get a friend or family member to help you check that all of your lights are in working order. Check the headlights (full and dipped beam), indicators, brake lights and reversing lights. It might be a good idea to carry some spare bulbs with you, it makes it much easier rather than wasting precious holiday time driving around looking for a garage.
Safety Equipment
It might seem obvious, but when you’re heading out on holiday there are so many things to think about that some little details get missed. Making sure there is some essential safety equipment in your car, can pay dividends on a long journey if something should go wrong. A first aid kit, snacks and water are great to have to hand if you find yourself waiting around after an accident or breakdown, or need to deal with minor injury or illness. Likewise a torch, reflective jacket and warning triangle are great items to always have in your boot, but at least when going on a long journey.
Air Con
You never know, you might enjoy hot weather on your UK summer holiday-stranger things have happened! If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure that your air conditioning is working effectively. It’s easy to get it serviced, it might be a good idea to incorporate an air con top up into a full service, so you know that everything is good to go before you set off.
Hopefully this advice should ensure that you and your car are ready for your UK summer holiday. Before you leave make sure your MOT is valid and not about to run out as this will invalidate your insurance. It’s a good idea to have all your car documents to hand when on holiday in case you might need them.
