Before you head off on a long journey or buckle up for a road trip, there are a few maintenance checks you need to do on your car to ensure a safe and pleasant drive.
Going on a road trip is great fun, and you can take away all the stress you might be feeling by making a plan for your next journey.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of everything you need to do before you take to the road to make your life easier.
Car checks to do before a long journey
Before you set off on your journey, you need to make sure your car is in good working order and will get you to your destination safely.
It’s always best to give your car the once-over before you leave, and we’d recommend doing so a day in advance so you’re not delayed leaving in case you need to fix something.
Check your oil levels
You should always check your oil levels before a long trip, ensuring your oil at least reaches the mark on your car’s dipstick.
Having low oil levels increases your chances of breaking down, which will not only delay you and your passengers arriving at your destination, but can also cause further damage to your engine, and in turn your wallet, especially if you don’t have breakdown insurance.
Equally, you shouldn’t add more oil than needed as this will also cause damage.
Ensure your car battery is healthy
Whilst newer cars will have a built-in battery monitor to inform you if your battery’s health is low or needs charging, many older vehicles do not have this in place.
Even if you own a new car you should still be monitoring its battery. You can keep it topped up with a battery maintainer, also known as a trickle charger.
Keep your tyres fully pumped
Checking your tyre pressure should be something you do on a regular basis, and not just before a long trip. However, it’s always best to give them a once-over before longer journeys too.
Keeping them inflated at the right level is crucial to keep your car safe. Overinflating or under-inflating them will certainly affect how your car handles. Having the pressure too high or too low can also affect their lifespan and damage the tread. Check what your front and rear tyre pressures should be as they will be different.
Ensure your windscreen wash is topped up
Just like your tyres, you should always check your windscreen wash is topped up to an acceptable level. No one likes driving around with bird poo or dirty marks on their windscreen.
While that is most definitely a pain, you may not realise it’s against the law to drive without having the bottle filled up. You’re also not supposed to drive with a blocked view, which can be caused by dirt.
Test out your car lights
Car lights are incredibly important and are the way we signal both braking and turning on the roads.
Have someone stand outside your vehicle while you test all the lights on your vehicle and your indicators.
It’s very easy to drive with only one brake light working, especially if not informed by another road user. Checking your lights regularly is a simple yet effective way of ensuring you don’t get stopped by police.
Test for any exhaust damage
We should state you’re not meant to ‘rev’ your vehicle’s engine, but sometimes it’s best practice to do so to make sure you don’t have a leak in your exhaust pipe. It’s also a good way to check for any unusual noises or smoke.
Check your wiper blades
Another simple check is looking at the health of your wiper blades. It is against the law to drive with faulty ones or no wipers at all. Just like your windscreen wash, they act to help keep your windows clean from any dirt or bird poo and keep your vision clear when driving.
They also act as a way of clearing the water off your car from the inevitable rain you’ll encounter when driving in the UK.
How to keep safe on long car journeys
Keeping safe should be at the forefront of your mind when making any journey on the road, no matter the distance, but here are a few ways you can help keep safe on longer road trips.
Share the drive if you’re travelling with a fellow driver
If there are two people in the vehicle who can both drive, you should think about sharing the driving between you.
It is advised you take a rest for 15 minutes every two hours, so why not swap drivers when you pull over?
If your passenger is not insured to drive your car, you can arrange for short-term car insurance so they’re eligible even if they’ll only be behind the wheel for a day.
Take regular breaks
If you’re driving solo, or have passengers that can’t drive, then it’s best to follow the Highway Code guidance of stopping every two hours for a 15-minute break, or longer if you need to.
Find somewhere safe to pull over if you’re feeling tired
Rather than trying to find somewhere to pull over when you’re tired, you should plan out where you will be able to stop when you arrange your trip.
Try to estimate where you’ll be every two hours on your journey.
You can pick out a service station ahead of time with your favourite fast food or coffee. Or you may encounter a UK landmark along your trip that you may choose to stop off at to get some fresh air and to stretch your legs.
Don’t be in a rush to get to your destination
Make sure you leave with enough time to get to your destination at the time you require.
Nobody likes to be in a rush, so ensure you give yourself ample time to arrive at a time that suits your needs.
Pack an emergency first aid kit
With any luck you’ll never need to use it, but packing a first aid kit is always a good idea. You never know when you’ll need a plaster, bandage or cleansing wipe.
Make sure the inside of the car is at a comfortable temperature
The temperature inside your car can affect the way you drive. If it’s either too hot or too cold, you can lose focus, your concentration levels will drop and could potentially lead to drowsiness.
Extreme heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. Driving at a suitable temperature will help you navigate any of these.
Be aware of weather conditions
The weather in the UK is always hit and miss. Be ready for any change in conditions, you could be driving in sunshine in London before heading north to Birmingham, where you could encounter a huge downfall of rain.
Whilst it’s not a sure-fire way of knowing what the conditions will be, check the weather forecast in the days leading up to your car journey to get an idea of what you’ll be driving in.
Plan your route in advance
Planning your route in advance will help alleviate any nerves you may get from driving in a strange area.
Try to find what is the best route for you to take and memorise the names of the roads you’ll be travelling on. You’ll be surprised at how reassuring this can be for you, rather than stressing about whether your satnav is taking you in the right direction.
Essential items to pack for long car journeys
Here are some essential items that you should think about packing before your road trip:
- Satnav to help guide you on your journey
- Snacks
- Water
- Car insurance and breakdown documents, especially if travelling abroad
- A blanket in case you breakdown
- Warm clothes and/or a jacket
- A torch
- Toiletries such as hand gel and wet wipes for little ones
- Suncream
- Loose change in case you encounter any toll roads abroad
What are the best long journey car games to play?
This may be a subjective topic, but there are so many car games you can play with your passengers. From classics such as ‘I, Spy’ to the ‘quiet game’ when you want some peace from screaming kids. Here’s a list of options for your journey:
- I, Spy
- The quiet game
- Twenty questions
- Who am I?
- Word association
- Name that song
- The number plate game
- Would you rather
- Road trip bingo
- Never have I ever
- The alphabet game
- Yes and no
How to keep children entertained on long car journeys
If the traditional games mentioned above do not keep your children entertained on a long car journey, you could try taking books for them to read, or put on an audiobook through your car’s infotainment system.
Traditional books are also a great way to keep them occupied and if there’s no adult in the back with them, you could provide them with a picture book such as Where’s Wally so they don’t encounter any issues with words they don’t understand.
Of course we live in the 21st century so a portable games console or tablet with plenty of games to play will also keep them entertained for hours. Just remember to bring the chargers.
Car insurance for your long road trip
When going on a road trip, it’s pivotal to make sure you have valid car insurance that works for you. Sterling is here to help you get the cover you need.
We offer convenient short-term insurance that can cover drivers for a period of time so you can share the driving on your trip. We also offer breakdown cover at affordable rates.
Get a quote by calling us on 0344 381 9990 or request a callback at a time that suits you.