December road trip: Here's how to get your car ready and make sure it's safe
|Published
You ready for the great December road trip? Make sure your car is too.
Image: Supplied
The year is finally winding down, stresses are fading away, shopping lists are growing and you're busy thinking about that road trip to your family or favourite destination.
But before you get ready to hit the road, it's important to make sure that your car is up to the job. Each year, thousands die on our roads as a result of driver error and faulty vehicles.
Travelling long distances can place considerable strain on certain engine, cooling, braking and suspension components, and it’s important to ensure that all of the safety-critical items are in good working order before you embark on your holiday.
First prize is always to have a professional inspection done. Many tyre and brake outlets offer free safety inspections, and some car brands, such as Chery and GWM, are also offering complimentary assessments through some of their dealers.
For those that prefer the DIY route, there are a number or tests and inspections that can be done at home if you have the patience and know-how.
How to inspect your wheels and tyres
Pressure: Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated and monitor the pressure as you go along, as low pressure due to a slow puncture could cause a blowout.
Tread and condition: Although the legal limit is 1mm, make sure that your tyres have a tread depth of at least 3mm as anything below that leaves you particularly vulnerable to aquaplaning. Tyres should also be regularly checked for other signs of damage, like bubbles or surface cuts. Driving with a bubble significantly increases your risk of a blowout, which could prove deadly.
Wear: Also make sure that the wear on your tyres is not uneven, as that could point to worn suspension or steering components or faulty wheel alignment.
Spare: Your spare wheel should be in tip-top condition and correctly inflated. Also double-check that your jack and wheel spanners are present and in working order, as well as any unique sockets you might need for theft-preventing wheel nuts (if you have them installed).
Emergency equipment you should have
Essential kit: While doing that, check that your warning triangle is in place and that you have a torch and a basic medical kit. A basic toolkit could also prove invaluable for performing emergency car repairs. Also, have the 112 emergency number saved on your phone.
Visibility is critical to your safety
The lighting basics: Get someone to help you check that the headlights, as well as the tail lights, brake lights, indicators and hazard lights are all working. If you're on your own, a light-coloured wall in a dark spot at night will allow you to do your own tests. It is always best to do long-distance trips during the day, however, as night driving is significantly riskier.
Wipers: Ensure that your wipers are in good working order and that the wiper blades themselves are in decent condition and not cracking. Before setting out, use the windscreen washers to spray the windscreen and then check if the wipers are doing their job by clearing the water from the windscreen or if they are leaving lines of water that impair your vision.
Demisting: Make sure your demisting system is still working correctly as a sudden mist-up while driving can be dangerous.
Damage: Check for chips and cracks in your windscreen and get these repaired as a damaged windscreen won't protect you properly in an accident.
Don't forget the brakes!!!
Inspection: Give your brake discs, drums and pads a thorough inspection, looking out for any uneven wear. That, along with any strange noises or vibrations, warrants a visit to a brake specialist.
Fluids: Make sure your brake fluid is topped up to the correct level.
Suspension is critical too
Go to the pros: Given how your shock absorbers can affect the way your car handles emergency manoeuvres, it's always a good idea to have them checked by professionals.
Basic observations: There are some observations you can make on your own. If your car leans abnormally when cornering, rides harder than usual or takes a longer distance to stop, you may need to replace the shock absorbers.
Take a peek under the bonnet
Oil: Use the dipstick to check that your oil level is within the two markings, but as close to the top marking as possible without overfilling. Check the oil again five days later, and if you see a difference, then consult a mechanic.
Coolant: While the engine is cold, check that your coolant level is at least close to the maximum mark and that the fluid is clean. If not, fill it with a 50:50 mix of coolant and water. Don't use only water, as it doesn't have the anti-freeze and corrosion-inhibiting properties of coolant.
Filters: Ensure that your air, fuel and oil filters are clean and if you change the latter, be sure to drain all the old oil from your engine and replace it with new oil of the correct grade.
Camshaft: Make sure that all belts and chains connected to the cam, alternator and fan are in good shape.
Washer: Check that the windscreen washer bottle is full. Trust us on this one.
Plumbing: Inspect the oil, air and fuel systems, including hoses and pipes, for leaks.
Caps: Make sure that your oil and fuel caps are securely fastened.
Information sources: Ford SA, Continental, Dial Direct, Virseker Insurance, Automobile Association & Battery Centre