Holiday season is upon us and for many that means a long road trip by car. It’s an easy way to travel with the family – just chuck everything in and head off to your favoured destination, be that in the UK or overseas. A long journey can put more strain on your car, with greater distances covered, a heavily loaded vehicle and perhaps hot climes if southern Europe is your end destination.

Some preparation is highly recommended, so here are my top tips.

Breakdown Cover

Taking out breakdown cover is essential. Basic cover is designed to help if you are stranded away from home. You can extend this to include ‘home start’ and ‘recovery’ if your car cannot be fixed at the roadside.

You can arrange cover for a specific car, ideal if it is driven by different family members or you can have personal cover, which will come to your aid in any car you are driving or are indeed a passenger in.

If leaving the UK, cover is even more important and make sure the policy you take out includes repatriation of the vehicle if it cannot be fixed by a local garage. Companies like the AA, RAC and Green Flag offer comprehensive overseas cover.

Servicing

Most cars require a service every year, even if it is little more than an oil change. Having a professional look over your car is always helpful, though beware the garage that recommends unnecessary work. And it is not just back street garages that do this. Main dealers are guilty of this sharp practice as I have recently witnessed myself.

Be mindful of the distance you are likely to cover, as if you greatly exceed the service interval mileage on a car under manufacturer warranty, you risk invalidating this. An early service makes sense.

Tyres

The law says that for cars and goods vehicles up to 3,500kg, tyres must have a tread of at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the central three quarters of the tread and around the circumference of the tyre.

This is the minimum requirement and would suggest changing tyres much earlier than this. Four small contact patches of rubber are all that stands between you and disaster so best be prepared. All garages will be able to check the depth for you.

It is also a good time to inspect the tyres for any cracks or debris lodged in the tread.
If you are going to change your tyres, you may want to consider some all-season tyres such as Michelin CrossClimates or Continental AllSeasonContact. These offer increased grip on snowy and wet winter roads yet will still perform well in the summer. Let’s face it, the weather in the North of England can be challenging in most months of the year.
I’ve just fitted some Goodyear Vector 4Seasons to our family car and so far, they are performing well in wet conditions.

Wiper Blades

There is nothing worse than a smeary windscreen. If the rubber blade feels very soft and pliable, it is probably time to change them. Relatively inexpensive, new wiper blades will make a great difference. Do not forget the rear wiper, if fitted.

Washer Fluid

It’s fly squashing season, and to ensure you can see clearly at all times, you should increase the amount of additive in the mix. Available at all petrol stations, follow the instructions and top up regularly. I carry a bespoke windscreen spray and cloth too, for those rather stubborn marks.

Oil Level

Checking your oil level should be part of your weekly routine. Many cars use no oil between services but run low on oil at your peril. Long, hot motorway drives may increase oil consumption, so check regularly. When topping up be careful not to overfill as this can cause damage to the engine. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the car’s handbook.

Coolant

The coolant level in a modern car can usually be checked by looking in the opaque reservoir. Any sudden drop in level should be investigated. If you need to top up, make sure you use the correct antifreeze mix. If in doubt, ask your garage for help.

Battery

It’s worth checking the age and condition of your battery. They don’t last forever and it’s easier to get it replaced locally than trying to source one away from home should the worse happen.

Air Conditioning

If your system is not cooling your car as efficiently as normal, it may need a regas. Most garages can carry this out for you, and there are companies which will come to your home. It’s worth getting the system cleaned too, as harmful bacteria can build up in the pipework.

Security

Away from home, your car is likely to be more vulnerable to theft. A visible deterrent such as a steering lock may well be a good investment. Make sure nothing of any value is left on display in the car that might attract a smash and grab thief.

This may be harder when on route to your holiday destination, so be careful where you stop for comfort breaks/food.

Route Planning

Motorways are always much busier during the school holiday season. If you have time to spare, journeying on A-roads can be much more relaxing. You may get to see some lovely towns, rolling countryside and of course it is easy to find nice places to take a break. I recall a memorable drive from Calais to Nice, mostly on the lovely French route nationales – merveillleux!