The weather is gradually getting colder, especially in the mornings. Autumn is around the corner and I am kind of looking forward to it. Summer has been amazing. We made the most of it with various trips and activities. I am looking forward to the relaxing Autumn season. I have been thinking of our Autumn Holiday plans. What to do over the mid-term break and all. We have a few road trips planned before the end of the year, and I am also looking forward to that.

I enjoy road trips a lot more now that the kids are older. We don’t have to stop as many times as we used to before and they seem to enjoy the long car rides.

A lot of planning goes into our road trips. There are a couple of checks we have to make before we start our journey. Luckily we have a Kwik Fit centre very close to us. Which means we can pop into the centre quickly if we need to sort out anything car-wise. We also have to ensure we have all we need for the journey, depending on how long it is.

 

 

Here are the top 5 checks we make on our car before embarking on a long journey.

 

Check the Tyres

We check all the tyres before we set off on a road trip. Long road trips usually cause the tyres to wear out so it is best to ensure the tyres are in good condition before starting the journey. You can check your tyres with a penny or a tread gauge.

Make sure you have at least 1/16th” or 1.6mm tread left. If the tread is less than 1/12″ or 2.5mm, you should consider replacing your tyres before embarking on a road trip.

 

Give the Car a Wash

Washing your car before embarking on a long journey would ensure your windscreens have great visibility. It would also ensure your plate numbers are visible. You should also check the condition of your wiper blades and replace them if required.

 

Check all Lights & Signals

You should check to make sure all lights and signals are working as they should, and replace what needs replacing before setting off. You can also take with you spare bulbs for each light.

 

 

Change the Oil

You should get the oil changed before you go on your road trip, if it’s almost time for an oil change. The oil change will get rid of sludge from old used oil, and keep the car working efficiently. Also have the oil filter changed when you change the oil.

 

Check the Fluids in the Car

Before starting a long journey, it is wise to check all fluids in the car. So apart from the oil, you also need to check the coolant, brake fluid, windscreen wash levels, clutch fluid and power steering fluids, if fitted.

 

What do you check before going on a long trip? Do you do any of these? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading.

 

*Collaborative post.