Heading somewhere? You can never be too sure of what the open road will bring, but you can always be prepared for the worst. Here are 4 ways you can prep yourself and your car for dangerous road conditions.
Tyres
Tyres are the first thing to check, as you can't get very far without them. Before you drive off, verify that they have enough tread and are inflated to the correct pressure. If they are showing signs of wear, speak with a tyre dealer about replace them. Also ensure that your spare tyre is serviceable, as you don’t want to be stranded without a spare.
Service
Replace where necessary all fluids, filters and belts and make sure your lights and indicators are working correctly. Check your battery and top up the cells if necessary. Fill up your windscreen washer reservoir and get new wiper blades if they’re worn.
It's also a good idea to check your shock absorbers, as you never know when you may need to travel on unsealed roads. If you push down on your fender and the car is slow to return to its normal position upon release, your shock absorbers may be worn and require replacing.
Emergency kit
It pays to throw a few things in a bag before you head off, as you never know what you might encounter and you could be a long way from anywhere when something happens. Your emergency kit should include the following:
- Enough water for yourself and the radiator
- A torch and spare batteries
- A GPS or a good map of the route you will be taking
- A tool kit with all the basic tools in it
- A first aid kit
- A tyre pump and pressure gauge
- A set of jumper leads.
A word of warning, if you plan to do any off-roading during your holiday, check your car insurance policy first to see if you’re covered for damage sustained in abnormal driving conditions
