Each summer, thousands of people take to their cars for a holiday adventure. Whether it’s to board a ferry to a far-flung location or take a trip over to France, using your car as a base for a holiday means you’re always travelling under your own steam and can pick and choose where you end up.
However, these long-distance trips also put more stress on a car, which is why some pre-travel checks can do a lot to help. Here, we’re going to take a look at some of the key areas of a car to look over before you depart.
1. Tyres
Tyres are something that you should definitely check thoroughly before heading off on a big trip. Make sure that you inspect the sidewalls of each tyre for any cuts or nicks, as if these worsen, they could lead to a blowout – the last thing you want when you’re far from home.
Remember to inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures, too, and if you’re planning on carrying a lot of items or more people than usual, you may need to adjust them to accommodate this.
2. Fluids
Summer usually means that hotter temperatures are on the way and this can be particularly the case if you’re heading towards the more southerly parts of Europe. It’s why making sure your car’s fluids are topped up is essential, as elements such as coolant help a car to maintain its temperature.
You’ll also want to check that your car’s air conditioning is working as it should. If it’s not blowing all that cold, then it may need re-gassing – a simple process but one which makes a big difference.
3. Headlight deflectors
Since you’ll be driving on the other side of the road, you’ll need to make sure that your car’s headlights aren’t dazzling oncoming traffic. In many modern cars, you can do this via the main infotainment screen and adjust them by changing settings. Consult your car’s handbook to find out how to do this.
However, if your car doesn’t offer this function, then use headlight deflectors. They’re small stickers which go over the top of the headlights and redirect the beam away from oncoming traffic.
4. Breakdown cover
While you may have breakdown cover in the UK, you’ll need to make sure that this includes European coverage before travelling abroad. If it doesn’t you may need to take out a separate policy to cover your vehicle while you’re away.
It can bring a lot more peace of mind to have this in place, as a breakdown suffered in a foreign country can quickly put a dampener on a holiday.
5. High-vis jackets
In many European countries, it’s a legal requirement to have a high-vis jacket for each occupant of the car, so make sure that you’ve got some packed.
The good news is that they can be purchased inexpensively online, and they don’t take up too much space, either.
6. UK sticker if needed
If your vehicle’s registration plate includes a ‘UK’ badge at its side, then you won’t need to worry about getting an extra sticker to show where you’re coming from.
However, if your number plate doesn’t have a UK badge at all, then you’ll need to get a sticker or magnet to apply to the car instead.
7. Documents
When travelling abroad, always make sure that you pack your driving licence with you alongside the V5C document to prove that you’re the registered keeper of the vehicle.
While not legally required in most countries, it can also be a good idea to take a print or mobile screenshot of your car insurance, as well as key details and phone numbers for your breakdown cover provider.
