For families planning a ‘staycation’ or venturing further afield on holiday with their car, Continental Tyres advises a number of easy checks to ensure a trouble-free trip, writes Trish Whelan.
Continental is advising that some simple car checks before heading off could save a lot of trouble. Here are five simple vehicle safety checks that any driver can do to their car to help eep families safe during the annual migration.
Give the car’s interior a clean: Most motorists aren’t 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 claimed to tidy the inside of their car just once a year, generally before an NCT or garage visit. It’s important to have the cabin area of the car clear of the usual clutter that can accumulate; an empty can, bottle or other piece of rubbish rolling under the brake pedal while driving could have very serious consequences.
Check the car’s tyres: Studies show that the highest number of tyre-related incidents occur during the summer months when families head off on holidays in cars more heavily laden than usual are especially vulnerable. A damaged tyre is more likely to fail when carrying a heavier load on a longer trip than usual. Add more people and baggage and an extra-long trip, so it is crucially important to thoroughly check the tyres. Next time you fill up the car with fuel, check the air pressures in your tyres and inspect the tread depth of all four tyres, not forgetting the spare wheel if you have one. If there are any bulges or cracks, take your car to a reputable tyre dealer to have them professionally checked.
Check the car’s windscreen wipers: On holidays we all hope for good weather but also be ready for some sudden, heavy downpours. Make sure to check the condition of your car’s wiper blades. Lift the front and rear windscreen wipers away from the glass and check that their rubber blade isn’t worn down or peeling away from its base. If they’re not totally clearing the water, see about replacing them before you set off.
Check the car’s lights: Driving with defective lights is both illegal and dangerous for you and for other road users. Take a couple of minutes to ask a family member or friend to walk around your car as you switch on the side lights, the headlights, operate the main beam and then check the indicators and brake lights. Don’t forget the fog lamps and reversing 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.
Check the car’s service schedule: Occasionally checking the level of oil in the engine is not enough to keep your car in good health. 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 like the filters will be changed, important when you are embarking on a long drive. An old fuel filter can be clogged with debris.
Also, make sure to drive in a careful and courteous manner paying particular attention to more vulnerable road users; pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland says with a small bit of preparation, the driver can ensure that the motoring element of the holiday can go off without a hitch’.
