ESSENTIAL CHECKS BEFORE YOU SET OFF ON A ROAD TRIP

/150 Comments/in , /by

Short breaks in the UK are a popular option when it comes to booking a holiday. As many as 13.1 million of us opt to use our vehicles to get away for a UK break, however many motorists admit they do not make basic car safety checks before embarking on a long journey.
Making sure your car is ready for the road is important so we’ve listed below our top 10 checks you can do before setting off.

1. Check your coolant levels
Engine coolant is a mixture of water and anti-freeze that helps to stop your engine overheating.
Most modern cars have a sealed cooling system so they shouldn’t need topping up, unless they’ve sprung a leak. It’s important to check your engine coolant every couple of weeks so you can spot any problems early which could save you a lot of money and hassle.
To check your coolant level, locate your radiator reservoir under the bonnet (if you’re not sure where it is, check your vehicle handbook) and make sure the coolant level is between the min and max lines. If you need to top up, make sure you select the right one for your car.

2. Check your dipstick for oil
The oil in your engine is one of your vehicle’s most important elements. It keeps all the engine’s internal parts moving as they should, and stops them from wearing out too quickly.
If the oil level in your engine drops too low it’ll stop it from working efficiently causing it to seize up, and could eventually lead to significant engine damage if not addressed.
To check your engine oil, locate your dipstick underneath the bonnet and make sure the oil level is between the two min and max markers at the end of the dipstick. The dipstick is usually easy enough to locate and can be identified by the ring pull (often yellow/orange in colour) coming out of the engine. Top the engine oil up if need be, but be sure to use the correct type of oil recommended in the vehicle’s handbook.
Oil should be drained and refilled annually as part of the MOT. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still check your levels at regular intervals throughout the year to avoid your engine running low.

3. Pack your car jack and locking wheel nut key
It’s important to make sure you have both of these items before setting off on a long trip. It could be the difference between being stranded and carrying on with your journey. If you pick up a tyre puncture on your journey, you’ll need a jack in order to stop and put the spare on.
You’ll also need the locking wheel nut key to hand to remove the wheel. Without this, you nor a recovery vehicle will be able to take the wheel off so make sure you have it with you and store it somewhere safe and accessible!

4. Check your tyre pressures
It’s important to make sure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure. Tyres that are underinflated can overheat and cause damage to the tyre, and overinflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling and increase the risk of a blowout.
Tyres that are set to the incorrect tyre pressure will also need to be replaced more regularly as the tread will wear more quickly and unevenly. Under-inflated tyres will also increase fuel consumption as they have an increased rolling resistance and more fuel will be required to maintain the same speed.
The correct tyre pressures for your vehicle can be found in the vehicle handbook.

5. Check your tyre tread for wear
When braking, your car relies on the tread on your tyres to grip the road and come to a stop in the shortest possible distance. Braking distance increases as tyre tread wears out so it’s important that you check them regularly to ensure you still have adequate tread on your tyres.
The legal minimum depth of the tread on your tyres is 1.6mm, across the central ¾ of the tread around the complete circumference of the tyre.
For safety, we strongly recommend that you replace your tyres before the legal limit is reached. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing at 3mm. In wet weather, travelling at 50 mph with 1.6mm of tread, it takes an extra car length (8 metres) to stop than if your tread was 3mm.
It is also a legal requirement to ensure that tyres of different construction types are not mixed on the same axle (the two main tyre types are radial and cross-ply). Please ask Roadwheel to check your tyres if you are unsure.
Mixing brands and patterns of the same construction type is permissible depending on the vehicle type and manufacturers recommendation. Check your vehicle’s handbook, or ask Roadwheel to look this up for you.
Failing to replace your tyres before they reach this minimum limit could result in a hefty fine and penalty points on your licence.

6. Check for damage and unusual wear and tear
Tyres can get cuts and lumps caused by various things such as potholes or an impact with the kerb. If you notice any damage on your tyres, or your vehicle has been involved in an emergency manoeuvre like sudden heavy braking, you must have them checked as quickly as possible by a tyre specialist such as Roadwheel, as this sort of damage can lead to sudden tyre failure.

7. Refill your screenwash bottle
The screenwash reservoir should be topped up regularly, especially before a big journey. This is essential for removing dirt, muck and insects from the windscreen and ensuring you have clear visibility.
The premixed screenwash at petrol stations have cleaning agents that can cut through dirt, as well as coolant meaning it won’t freeze and expand in the pipes and washer bottle during winter.

8. Ensure all your lights are working properly
Another important check to consider is testing all of your car’s lights to ensure that they’re in working order. This includes car headlights, brake lights, reverse light, indicators and internal cabin lights.

9. Check wiper blades
You can’t trust the weather, especially when holidaying in the UK, so a good effective set of windscreen wipers are a must to ensure you can see the road clearly. Wipers are probably the least hardy part of your car and will inevitably become damaged over time. Check the blades for any splits in the rubber edge, which could prevent the wiper from clearing water or leave streaks in the line of view. It’s easy to neglect this part of the car, but wipers are essential to clear anything on the windscreen.

10. Switch on the air con
Car air conditioning needs regular maintenance to ensure it is functioning as effectively as possible and travelling without functioning air con can make a journey unpleasant. Generally you will lose between 5-10% of your air conditioning gas each year until it reaches a point where you will notice a fall in performance. You may simply need an air con re-gas which we can do here at Roadwheel while you wait.

We do free tyre and safety checks on all vehicles here at Roadwheel so if you’ve got any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

150 replies

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. raso.su says:
    November 10, 2024 at 2:54 pm

    raso.su

    raso.su

  2. hdorg2.ru says:
    November 10, 2024 at 7:11 am

    hdorg2.ru

    https://hdorg2.ru/

  3. 9gm.ru says:
    November 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm

    9gm.ru

    9gm.ru

  4. 10000 says:
    November 8, 2024 at 2:19 pm

    10000

    10000

  5. dizain-cheloveka says:
    October 19, 2024 at 1:44 pm

    dizain-cheloveka

    dizain-cheloveka

  6. printsipy forda says:
    October 15, 2024 at 2:57 pm

    printsipy forda

    printsipy forda

  7. site says:
    September 20, 2024 at 1:07 pm

    site

    site

  8. Best Psychologist in the World says:
    September 17, 2024 at 5:44 pm

    Best Psychologist in the World

    Best Psychologist in the World

  9. Psychologist #1 in the World says:
    September 17, 2024 at 4:23 pm

    Psychologist #1 in the World

    Psychologist #1 in the World

  10. Opsumiologist says:
    September 17, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    Opsumiologist

    Opsumiologist

  11. human design says:
    September 10, 2024 at 6:50 pm

    human design

    human design

  12. humandesignplanet.ru says:
    September 10, 2024 at 5:35 pm

    humandesignplanet.ru

    humandesignplanet.ru

  13. raschet karty dizayn cheloveka says:
    September 10, 2024 at 4:13 am

    raschet karty dizayn cheloveka

    raschet karty dizayn cheloveka

  14. rasschitat dizayn cheloveka onlayn says:
    September 9, 2024 at 7:12 pm

    rasschitat dizayn cheloveka onlayn

    rasschitat dizayn cheloveka onlayn

  15. kinogo says:
    September 4, 2024 at 3:13 pm

    kinogo

    kinogo

  16. yaltalife.ru says:
    August 30, 2024 at 8:21 pm

    yaltalife.ru

    yaltalife.ru

  17. shorts says:
    July 20, 2024 at 7:06 pm

    shorts

    shorts

  18. bit.ly/kto-takoy-opsuimolog says:
    June 24, 2024 at 11:54 am

    bit.ly/kto-takoy-opsuimolog

    bit.ly/kto-takoy-opsuimolog

  19. russian-federation says:
    April 28, 2024 at 4:42 pm

    russian-federation

    russian-federation

  20. list says:
    April 10, 2024 at 9:58 am

    list

    list

  21. spisok says:
    March 28, 2024 at 1:14 pm

    spisok

    spisok

  22. Tucker Carlson - Vladimir Putin says:
    February 9, 2024 at 8:58 am

    Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin

    Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin

  23. Tucker Carlson - Vladimir Putin - 2024-02-09 Putin interview summary, full interview. says:
    February 9, 2024 at 8:26 am

    Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin – 2024-02-09 Putin interview summary, full interview.

    Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin – 2024-02-09 Putin interview summary, full interview.

  24. samorazvitiepsi says:
    January 28, 2024 at 1:16 am

    samorazvitiepsi

    samorazvitiepsi

  25. 000 says:
    January 27, 2024 at 9:52 pm

    000

    000

  26. laloxeziya-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami.ru says:
    January 23, 2024 at 2:00 am

    laloxeziya-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami.ru

    laloxeziya-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami.ru

  27. 123 Movies says:
    January 23, 2024 at 12:11 am

    123 Movies

    123 Movies

  28. film2024 says:
    January 21, 2024 at 6:12 pm

    film2024

    film2024

  29. batman apollo says:
    January 17, 2024 at 5:05 pm

    batman apollo

    batman apollo

  30. new 2024 says:
    January 14, 2024 at 1:47 am

    new 2024

    new 2024

  31. film says:
    January 11, 2024 at 10:56 pm

    film

    film

  32. depresiya says:
    January 10, 2024 at 5:38 pm

    depresiya

    depresiya

  33. kiino4k.ru says:
    January 5, 2024 at 1:55 am

    kiino4k.ru

    kiino4k.ru

  34. psy says:
    January 2, 2024 at 5:14 pm

    psy

    psy

  35. Link says:
    December 28, 2023 at 10:28 pm

    Link

    Link

  36. 354 says:
    December 23, 2023 at 12:41 am

    354

    354

  37. Update Site Error ¹ 655 says:
    December 20, 2023 at 11:53 pm

    Update Site Error ¹ 655

    Update Site Error ¹ 655

  38. Update Site Error ¹ 654 says:
    December 20, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    Update Site Error ¹ 654

    Update Site Error ¹ 654

  39. batmanapollo.ru says:
    December 9, 2023 at 9:40 pm

    batmanapollo.ru

    batmanapollo.ru

  40. psykholog says:
    December 8, 2023 at 12:10 am

    psykholog

    psykholog

  41. My Homepage says:
    March 17, 2023 at 12:09 am

    … [Trackback]

    […] Informations on that Topic: roadwheel.co.uk/essential-checks/ […]

  42. single site web says:
    February 9, 2023 at 12:00 am

    plenty of fish dating site https://freewebdating.net/

  43. tinder dating site log in says:
    February 8, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    free onilne dating https://freedatinglive.com/

  44. top dating says:
    February 8, 2023 at 9:27 pm

    intitle:dating https://allaboutdatingsites.com/

  45. dating team says:
    February 8, 2023 at 7:38 pm

    date personal https://datingwebsiteshopper.com/

  46. christiandatingforfree search says:
    February 8, 2023 at 6:08 pm

    top free dating sites https://onlinedatinghunks.com/

  47. online dating sites for free 100% says:
    February 8, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    matchmaking dating https://onlinedatingsuccessguide.com/

  48. free dating sites for men and women says:
    February 8, 2023 at 4:12 pm

    internet dating sites https://onlinedatingsurvey.com/

  49. milf dating franken says:
    February 8, 2023 at 2:41 pm

    online dating services https://sexanddatingonline.com/

  50. dating gmail germany says:
    February 8, 2023 at 1:33 pm

    dating free chating https://free-dating-sites-free-personals.com/

  51. dating women online says:
    February 8, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    date game online https://jewish-dating-online.net/

  52. spanish dating site free trial says:
    February 8, 2023 at 9:39 am

    plenty of fish sign in https://freewebdating.net/

  53. coursework writing services says:
    February 5, 2023 at 11:42 pm

    coursework writing service uk https://courseworkdomau.com/

  54. coursework sample of written work says:
    February 5, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    coursework website https://buycoursework.org/

  55. coursework plagiarism says:
    February 5, 2023 at 7:40 pm

    degree coursework https://coursework-expert.com/

  56. buy coursework online says:
    February 5, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    creative writing coursework https://courseworkinfotest.com/

  57. creative writing english coursework says:
    February 5, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    coursework website https://courseworkdownloads.com/

  58. coursework samples says:
    February 5, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    coursework papers https://mycourseworkhelp.net/

  59. design coursework says:
    February 5, 2023 at 2:45 pm

    coursework marking https://writingacoursework.com/

  60. coursework online says:
    February 5, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    courseworks help https://courseworkninja.com/

  61. coursework paper says:
    February 5, 2023 at 11:39 am

    coursework writing service uk https://brainycoursework.com/

  62. 2developing says:
    January 26, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    1gluttony

  63. help with college paper writing says:
    October 21, 2022 at 3:03 pm

    help paper https://studentpaperhelp.com/

  64. cheap paper writing service says:
    October 21, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    paper writing service https://ypaywallpapers.com/

  65. pay someone to write a paper says:
    October 21, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    buy custom paper https://premiumpapershelp.com/

  66. writing paper help says:
    October 21, 2022 at 11:40 am

    buying papers for college https://papercranewritingservices.com/

  67. cheap custom written papers says:
    October 21, 2022 at 9:48 am

    buying papers for college https://essaybuypaper.com/

  68. someone to write my paper says:
    October 21, 2022 at 9:14 am

    where can i find someone to write my paper https://writemypaperquick.com/

  69. paper writing service says:
    October 21, 2022 at 7:31 am

    who will write my paper for me https://mypaperwritinghelp.com/

  70. college paper service says:
    October 21, 2022 at 6:16 am

    can you write my paper https://buyessaypaperz.com/

  71. custom paper services says:
    October 21, 2022 at 5:19 am

    paper writing service college https://writingpaperservice.net/

  72. pay to write papers says:
    October 21, 2022 at 3:13 am

    do my papers https://cheapcustompaper.org/

  73. how to find someone to write my paper says:
    October 21, 2022 at 2:32 am

    do my paper https://researchpaperswriting.org/

  74. what is the best paper writing service says:
    October 21, 2022 at 12:30 am

    pay someone to do my paper https://top100custompapernapkins.com/

  75. custom note paper says:
    October 20, 2022 at 11:54 pm

    cheap paper writing service https://doyourpapersonline.com/

  76. need help writing my paper says:
    October 20, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    paper writer service https://write-my-paper-for-me.org/

  77. write my math paper says:
    October 20, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    paper writing website https://writepapersformoney.com/

  78. cheap custom papers says:
    October 20, 2022 at 7:26 pm

    help with filing divorce papers https://paperwritinghq.com/

  79. buy writing paper says:
    October 20, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    buy writing paper https://uktermpaperwriters.com/

  80. paper writing help says:
    October 20, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    buy a paper for college https://sociologypapershelp.com/

  81. buy cheap papers online says:
    October 20, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    will someone write my paper for me https://term-paper-help.org/

  82. live gay webcam chat rooms says:
    October 20, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    gay chat toms river nj https://gaymanchatrooms.com/

  83. gay priesy chat says:
    September 4, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    gay chat webcam https://gayinteracialchat.com/

  84. gay chat apps says:
    September 4, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    free chat and web cam sites for bi and gay men https://free-gay-sex-chat.com/

  85. hairy gay men chat free says:
    September 4, 2022 at 9:54 am

    gay porn video chat https://gaymusclechatrooms.com/

  86. gay online chat says:
    September 4, 2022 at 5:42 am

    gay chat phone numbers https://gaychatnorules.com/

  87. gay chat recorded says:
    September 4, 2022 at 12:28 am

    gay mature chat https://gayphillychat.com/

  88. dick.net gay chat says:
    September 3, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    gay men snap chat https://chatcongays.com/

  89. gay chat avenue new version says:
    September 3, 2022 at 11:01 am

    line group chat gay tampa https://gay-live-chat.net/

  90. gay mature men chat group says:
    September 3, 2022 at 6:52 am

    gay chat room atlanta https://gaychatspots.com/

  91. chat with gay men says:
    September 3, 2022 at 4:40 am

    gay bear chat and personals https://gaychatcams.net/

  92. gay video chat sites realty to dirty roulette says:
    September 2, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    gay web cam chat room https://newgaychat.com/

  93. trusted casino online says:
    August 30, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    online casino free play no deposit https://casinosonlinex.com/

  94. free online casino tournaments says:
    August 30, 2022 at 10:11 am

    zone casino online https://online2casino.com/

  95. best casino online usa says:
    August 30, 2022 at 6:21 am

    captain jack online casino https://onlinecasinos4me.com/

  96. massianic singles free dating sites says:
    August 25, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    online dating ukraine https://onlinedatingservicesecrets.com/

  97. online ukraine dating says:
    August 25, 2022 at 11:59 am

    singles websites https://zonlinedating.com/

  98. date website free says:
    August 25, 2022 at 8:40 am

    plentyoffish free online dating site https://virtual-online-dating-service.com/

  99. no credit card dating sites says:
    August 25, 2022 at 5:40 am

    amature dating co https://freeadultdatingpasses.com/

  100. dating wites says:
    August 25, 2022 at 3:41 am

    free dating date https://lavaonlinedating.com/

  101. best dating websites says:
    August 25, 2022 at 2:16 am

    find single women https://wowdatingsites.com/

  102. asian dating sites says:
    August 25, 2022 at 12:07 am

    online dating best site https://datingpersonalsonline.com/

  103. plenty fish free dating says:
    August 24, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    free adult dating https://online-internet-dating.net/

  104. free dating online chat says:
    August 24, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    eu mature https://adult-classifieds-online-dating.com/

  105. serious free dating sites says:
    August 24, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    dating website free https://onlinedatingbabes.com/

  106. free single dating service says:
    August 24, 2022 at 9:25 am

    online dating and personals at https://freephotodating.com/

  107. michael dinsmore gay dating says:
    August 23, 2022 at 4:53 pm

    athletic gay dating sites https://datinggayservices.com/

  108. gay free dating site says:
    August 23, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    biden gay boyfriend dating https://gayedating.com/

  109. best free gay dating apps says:
    August 23, 2022 at 11:42 am

    gay dating east tennessee https://gay-singles-dating.com/

  110. best free vpn for laptop says:
    August 8, 2022 at 4:31 am

    private vpn free https://rsvpnorthvalley.com/

  111. dot vpn says:
    August 8, 2022 at 1:20 am

    premium vpn service https://free-vpn-proxy.com/

  112. best torrenting vpn says:
    August 7, 2022 at 11:04 pm

    zenmate free vpn https://superfreevpn.net/

  113. vpn free download says:
    August 7, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    free vpn apps https://imfreevpn.net/

  114. free mexican vpn says:
    August 7, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    best vpn for torrenting https://ippowervpn.net/

  115. kim komando best vpn says:
    August 7, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    best vpn services 2018 https://freehostingvpn.com/

  116. vpn free online says:
    August 7, 2022 at 3:42 pm

    trust.zone vpn https://shiva-vpn.com/

  117. vpn says:
    August 7, 2022 at 11:13 am

    vpn providers https://freevpnconnection.com/

  118. online casino no deposit required says:
    July 27, 2022 at 11:47 am

    sugarhouse casino online sportsbook https://casino8online.com/

  119. online casino pa says:
    July 27, 2022 at 9:53 am

    fantasy springs online casino https://all-online-casino-games.com/

  120. most trusted online casino says:
    July 27, 2022 at 7:51 am

    online casino for real money https://ownonlinecasino.com/

  121. online casino bonus code says:
    July 27, 2022 at 4:25 am

    online casino signup bonus https://onlineplayerscasino.com/

  122. was bedeutetwaygern online casino says:
    July 27, 2022 at 12:31 am

    free bonus without deposit online casino https://casino-online-jackpot.com/

  123. real casino slots online says:
    July 26, 2022 at 9:43 pm

    online casino no deposit bonus codes 2020 https://casino-online-roulette.com/

  124. jumba bet online casino says:
    July 26, 2022 at 5:35 pm

    free casino online games https://1freeslotscasino.com/

  125. no deposit bonus win real money online casino for free says:
    July 26, 2022 at 2:03 pm

    no min deposit online casino https://cybertimeonlinecasino.com/

  126. online us casino says:
    July 26, 2022 at 11:29 am

    casino online portugal https://internet-casinos-online.net/

  127. las atlantis online casino says:
    July 26, 2022 at 8:29 am

    online casino no deposit bonus codes https://free-online-casinos.net/

  128. mgm grand online casino says:
    July 26, 2022 at 7:41 am

    dover downs online casino https://9lineslotscasino.com/

  129. chumba casino online mobile says:
    July 26, 2022 at 4:04 am

    hardrock casino online https://onlinecasinosdirectory.org/

  130. hollywood casino online promo code says:
    July 26, 2022 at 1:29 am

    platinum reels online casino https://trust-online-casino.com/

  131. gta online casino heist says:
    July 25, 2022 at 11:12 pm

    live roulette online casino https://newlasvegascasinos.com/

  132. real money casino online no deposit says:
    July 25, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    casino online best payout https://onlinecasinofortunes.com/

  133. lucky 7 casino online says:
    July 25, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    no deposit bonus codes online casino https://firstonlinecasino.org/

  134. mgm online casino says:
    July 25, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    online casino real money no deposit bonus codes https://download-casino-slots.com/

  135. masters dissertation says:
    July 7, 2022 at 2:13 am

    dissertation database https://customthesiswritingservices.com/

  136. citing a dissertation says:
    July 7, 2022 at 12:50 am

    dissertation online help https://dissertationhelperhub.com/

  137. dissertation search says:
    July 6, 2022 at 8:58 pm

    online dissertation writing https://dissertationhelpspecialist.com/

  138. essay writing services 2019 says:
    July 6, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    search writing help https://writingadissertationproposal.com/

  139. uf dissertation award says:
    July 6, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    dissertation abstracts international https://customdissertationwritinghelp.com/

  140. writing editing services says:
    July 6, 2022 at 11:03 am

    dissertation paper writing service https://businessdissertationhelp.com/

  141. how to cite a dissertation says:
    July 6, 2022 at 9:38 am

    tips on writing a dissertation https://bestdissertationwritingservice.net/

  142. getting help online says:
    July 6, 2022 at 7:36 am

    writing your doctoral dissertation https://writing-a-dissertation.net/

  143. best rated essay writing service says:
    July 6, 2022 at 3:55 am

    doctoral dissertation help qualitative https://examplesofdissertation.com/

  144. dissertation writing memes says:
    July 6, 2022 at 12:51 am

    dissertation help services https://accountingdissertationhelp.com/

  145. rfp writing services says:
    July 5, 2022 at 11:43 pm

    cheap dissertation writing https://dissertationhelpexpert.com/

  146. writing dissertation chapters says:
    July 5, 2022 at 8:17 pm

    dissertation writing advice https://dissertationwritingcenter.com/

  147. doctoral dissertation help qualitative says:
    July 5, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    dissertation printing https://helpwithdissertationwritinglondon.com/

  148. uk dissertation writing help online says:
    July 5, 2022 at 2:27 pm

    writing dissertation chapters https://professionaldissertationwriting.com/

  149. professional writing service says:
    July 5, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    how do i write a dissertation https://professionaldissertationwriting.org/

  150. 2damaged says:
    June 22, 2022 at 1:42 pm

    2surfeit

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply