Thousands of motorists are gearing up during the upcoming festivities to travel to their holiday destinations. Unfortunately, there is one snag, and that is your car. Can it safely get there and back?
According to news24.com,1 it is advisable to have your car well inspected to ensure it is safe to travel.
Below is a safety list of items that need to be checked on your car before departing on holiday. 1
What about the coolant and oil levels? 1
These two items are the most overlooked by motorists and yet are crucial for the proper functioning of the car. For example, if the coolant level has dropped too low after you checked it recently, there could be a leak in the system. Likewise, the brake fluid must also be at the correct level – otherwise, the car’s braking effectiveness can be affected.
The car’s lights are crucial1
It’s a little too late to switch on your headlights when leaving at night to go on holiday only to find out that the one headlight is not working. In addition, bulbs or LEDs in taillights often stop working because they are switched on and off so often because of frequent braking.
Will the wipers cope with the rain? 1
Worn wipers that leave lines on the windscreen can distort vision during driving in the rain and thus pose a severe safety risk. It’s best to try them out before going on holiday. Ensure sufficient water for the windscreen washers to use while travelling.
How are the car’s tyres? 1
There are only 4 rubber contact patches on the road surface at any one time that connect the car to road. Surely the condition of tyres is crucial to safety? Always join the garage attendant to learn about each tyre pressure before adjusting. If one tyre indicates markedly low pressure, it could be a leak, which should be checked immediately. Tyres should be checked for the presence of any nails and other sharp objects, as well as any bulges in the sidewall. Most importantly, tyre tread depth must not be less than the legal limit of at least 1mm. If it is less, the tyre is not roadworthy.
Don’t forget the spare wheel1
Because the spare wheel is always tucked away out of sight, but the spare tyre will suddenly become most significant in the event of a puncture. Imagine having a flat spare tyre in the middle of nowhere when you need it the most? And while you are about it, check if the jack and spanner are still in place.
Will your brake pads work? 1
Brake pads are another critical component of road safety, seeing they are used to stop the car. Ineffective brake pads could mean that your vehicle cannot stop in time in an emergency, with possible serious consequences. The inner part of the brake pad must be at least 5 mm thick, if not, it must be replaced immediately.
Ticking off the car checklist before departing on holiday will ensure your vacation stays a dream and will not become a nightmare. Prevention is always better than cure, they say. But, if there is an accident, are you sure your car is adequately covered? Adequate car insurance cover could provide you with more peace of mind. PMD will be happy to assist you with more information about their affordable car insurance, which include unique, convenient benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
