ESSENTIAL CHECKS BEFORE YOU SET OFF ON A ROAD TRIP
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.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
dizain-cheloveka
dizain-cheloveka
printsipy forda
printsipy forda
site
site
Best Psychologist in the World
Best Psychologist in the World
Psychologist #1 in the World
Psychologist #1 in the World
Opsumiologist
Opsumiologist
human design
human design
humandesignplanet.ru
humandesignplanet.ru
raschet karty dizayn cheloveka
raschet karty dizayn cheloveka
rasschitat dizayn cheloveka onlayn
rasschitat dizayn cheloveka onlayn
kinogo
kinogo
yaltalife.ru
yaltalife.ru
shorts
shorts
bit.ly/kto-takoy-opsuimolog
bit.ly/kto-takoy-opsuimolog
russian-federation
russian-federation
list
list
spisok
spisok
Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin
Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin
Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin – 2024-02-09 Putin interview summary, full interview.
Tucker Carlson – Vladimir Putin – 2024-02-09 Putin interview summary, full interview.
samorazvitiepsi
samorazvitiepsi
000
000
laloxeziya-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami.ru
laloxeziya-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami.ru
123 Movies
123 Movies
film2024
film2024
batman apollo
batman apollo
new 2024
new 2024
film
film
depresiya
depresiya
kiino4k.ru
kiino4k.ru
psy
psy
Link
Link
354
354
Update Site Error ¹ 655
Update Site Error ¹ 655
Update Site Error ¹ 654
Update Site Error ¹ 654
batmanapollo.ru
batmanapollo.ru
psykholog
psykholog
… [Trackback]
[…] Informations on that Topic: roadwheel.co.uk/essential-checks/ […]
plenty of fish dating site https://freewebdating.net/
free onilne dating https://freedatinglive.com/
intitle:dating https://allaboutdatingsites.com/
date personal https://datingwebsiteshopper.com/
top free dating sites https://onlinedatinghunks.com/
matchmaking dating https://onlinedatingsuccessguide.com/
internet dating sites https://onlinedatingsurvey.com/
online dating services https://sexanddatingonline.com/
dating free chating https://free-dating-sites-free-personals.com/
date game online https://jewish-dating-online.net/
plenty of fish sign in https://freewebdating.net/
coursework writing service uk https://courseworkdomau.com/
coursework website https://buycoursework.org/
degree coursework https://coursework-expert.com/
creative writing coursework https://courseworkinfotest.com/
coursework website https://courseworkdownloads.com/
coursework papers https://mycourseworkhelp.net/
coursework marking https://writingacoursework.com/
courseworks help https://courseworkninja.com/
coursework writing service uk https://brainycoursework.com/
1gluttony
help paper https://studentpaperhelp.com/
paper writing service https://ypaywallpapers.com/
buy custom paper https://premiumpapershelp.com/
buying papers for college https://papercranewritingservices.com/
buying papers for college https://essaybuypaper.com/
where can i find someone to write my paper https://writemypaperquick.com/
who will write my paper for me https://mypaperwritinghelp.com/
can you write my paper https://buyessaypaperz.com/
paper writing service college https://writingpaperservice.net/
do my papers https://cheapcustompaper.org/
do my paper https://researchpaperswriting.org/
pay someone to do my paper https://top100custompapernapkins.com/
cheap paper writing service https://doyourpapersonline.com/
paper writer service https://write-my-paper-for-me.org/
paper writing website https://writepapersformoney.com/
help with filing divorce papers https://paperwritinghq.com/
buy writing paper https://uktermpaperwriters.com/
buy a paper for college https://sociologypapershelp.com/
will someone write my paper for me https://term-paper-help.org/
gay chat toms river nj https://gaymanchatrooms.com/
gay chat webcam https://gayinteracialchat.com/
free chat and web cam sites for bi and gay men https://free-gay-sex-chat.com/
gay porn video chat https://gaymusclechatrooms.com/
gay chat phone numbers https://gaychatnorules.com/
gay mature chat https://gayphillychat.com/
gay men snap chat https://chatcongays.com/
line group chat gay tampa https://gay-live-chat.net/
gay chat room atlanta https://gaychatspots.com/
gay bear chat and personals https://gaychatcams.net/
gay web cam chat room https://newgaychat.com/
online casino free play no deposit https://casinosonlinex.com/
zone casino online https://online2casino.com/
captain jack online casino https://onlinecasinos4me.com/
online dating ukraine https://onlinedatingservicesecrets.com/
singles websites https://zonlinedating.com/
plentyoffish free online dating site https://virtual-online-dating-service.com/
amature dating co https://freeadultdatingpasses.com/
free dating date https://lavaonlinedating.com/
find single women https://wowdatingsites.com/
online dating best site https://datingpersonalsonline.com/
free adult dating https://online-internet-dating.net/
eu mature https://adult-classifieds-online-dating.com/
dating website free https://onlinedatingbabes.com/
online dating and personals at https://freephotodating.com/
athletic gay dating sites https://datinggayservices.com/
biden gay boyfriend dating https://gayedating.com/
gay dating east tennessee https://gay-singles-dating.com/
private vpn free https://rsvpnorthvalley.com/
premium vpn service https://free-vpn-proxy.com/
zenmate free vpn https://superfreevpn.net/
free vpn apps https://imfreevpn.net/
best vpn for torrenting https://ippowervpn.net/
best vpn services 2018 https://freehostingvpn.com/
trust.zone vpn https://shiva-vpn.com/
vpn providers https://freevpnconnection.com/
sugarhouse casino online sportsbook https://casino8online.com/
fantasy springs online casino https://all-online-casino-games.com/
online casino for real money https://ownonlinecasino.com/
online casino signup bonus https://onlineplayerscasino.com/
free bonus without deposit online casino https://casino-online-jackpot.com/
online casino no deposit bonus codes 2020 https://casino-online-roulette.com/
free casino online games https://1freeslotscasino.com/
no min deposit online casino https://cybertimeonlinecasino.com/
casino online portugal https://internet-casinos-online.net/
online casino no deposit bonus codes https://free-online-casinos.net/
dover downs online casino https://9lineslotscasino.com/
hardrock casino online https://onlinecasinosdirectory.org/
platinum reels online casino https://trust-online-casino.com/
live roulette online casino https://newlasvegascasinos.com/
casino online best payout https://onlinecasinofortunes.com/
no deposit bonus codes online casino https://firstonlinecasino.org/
online casino real money no deposit bonus codes https://download-casino-slots.com/
dissertation database https://customthesiswritingservices.com/
dissertation online help https://dissertationhelperhub.com/
online dissertation writing https://dissertationhelpspecialist.com/
search writing help https://writingadissertationproposal.com/
dissertation abstracts international https://customdissertationwritinghelp.com/
dissertation paper writing service https://businessdissertationhelp.com/
tips on writing a dissertation https://bestdissertationwritingservice.net/
writing your doctoral dissertation https://writing-a-dissertation.net/
doctoral dissertation help qualitative https://examplesofdissertation.com/
dissertation help services https://accountingdissertationhelp.com/
cheap dissertation writing https://dissertationhelpexpert.com/
dissertation writing advice https://dissertationwritingcenter.com/
dissertation printing https://helpwithdissertationwritinglondon.com/
writing dissertation chapters https://professionaldissertationwriting.com/
how do i write a dissertation https://professionaldissertationwriting.org/
2surfeit
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!