Long car journeys are either exciting or not exciting at all. That could either be for visiting your family or going on a long road trip for a holiday. Usually for the driver, it isn’t exciting and can be quite draining, especially for long journeys.
These long car journeys need to be planned out as they can put a lot of strain on your vehicle, especially if your car hasn’t been checked before the journey starts. This is why it is very important to inspect your vehicle before you start your journey, just so you don’t run the risk of breaking down. So, here is a complete list of what to check before you set off.
Check Your Tyres Carefully
One of the first things you need to do is check your tyres before a long journey. Inspect each tyre for any wear and tear. Additionally, you should ensure that there is plenty of air in the tyres before you set off. Driving with low-inflated tyres or even worn tyres across long distances can reduce your grip, especially in wet conditions.
Before long journeys, you should ensure that your spare tyre doesn’t have any wear and tear, and that it has plenty of air in it. You never know what can happen on a long car journey, which is why you need to ensure there is plenty of fluid.
Top Up Your Fluids
Topping up your vehicle fluids is also very important when it comes to driving. Check your engine oil (when the engine is cool) along with your coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluids. Low fluids can cause several problems, such as overheating, poor braking performance or even worse, engine damage.
Test Both Your Batteries and Your Lights
Another test that you will need to do is your battery and lights. Light,s in particular, are essential for tough weather conditions. Ensure you check your brake lights, indicator lights, fog lights and headlights.
Ensure Your Breaks Are Working Effectively
Brakes are arguably one of the most important safety features for your vehicle. So if you ever notice unusual noises, vibrations or just a slight dip in brake performance, consider having them inspected just to ensure they are safe to drive with.
Plan Your Route and Stops
Before any long drive, ensure you check the journey, where the petrol stations are and where the service stations are so you can take a break. Most digital maps will plan the best route for you; however, make sure you double-check the route.
Even once you have arrived at your destination, consider the places to leave your car safely. This is arguably one of the most important parts of your journey because you want to leave your car in a safe place. For example, look for car parks in London if you are visiting the capital.
If you are driving an electric vehicle, there will be plenty of service stations that will offer electric charging stations; however, you’ll also want to look for car parks that offer the same as well. Companies like Care Park offer electric charging stations within their car parks, so make sure to check before you park in any car park in London.