We use our car a lot for our family trips, especially during the summer when we tend to head down to Devon and Cornwall for our UK break. The trip from the North West is quite a long one so we always make sure the car is ready for the journey. Nothing can put a dampener on a road trip quite like a broken down car or flat tyre. Read on for some tips on how to care for your car.
Make sure your car has an up to date MOT
Getting an MOT obviously isn’t just advisable, it’s the law! Remember if your car is over three years old it will be due an annual MOT.
Get an annual service
Whilst not a legal obligation, it’s definitely worth taking your car for an annual service. They can ensure your lights, wipers and fluid levels are up to standard while also checking your brake pads, spark plugs and handbrake, amongst other things. Having your car regularly serviced can give you peace of mind that it’s is running smoothly and efficiently, and can reduce the risk of it breaking down.
Check your tyres
Getting an MOT and service are things to consider annually. Checking your tyres, however, should be done regularly, particularly when planning a trip. When you consider cars tyres are the only part of the vehicle that makes any contact with the road, it’s obvious how important they are in ensuring the safety of the entire vehicle.
You need to make sure tyres are fit and compatible to drive on the roads. With the icy and snowy conditions we’ve been having here in the UK at the moment, this is hugely important. Tyres play a critical role when it comes to steering and braking, and accidents can occur if your tyres don’t have enough grip.
The tread on the tyres need to be checked on a regular basis. The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. However tyre and safety experts recommend the depth goes no lower than 3mm as stopping distances can reduce dramatically when tyres are below this limit. If you are found driving a car with tyres with a tread lower than 1.6mm it can result in three penalty points and a £2,500 fine, so get them checked!
It’s also worth checking your tyre pressure regularly and before long journeys. Tyre pressures can be checked at most petrol stations, and you can find the correct pressures for your car on the inside your car’s door or fuel flap. If the tyre pressure isn’t what it could be, it can affect your steering and braking and even fuel efficiency.
As soon as you recognise your tyres are not up to scratch, it’s important you get them replaced immediately. Great quality robust tyres in Northampton are available with Calmac Tyres Autocentre at affordable rates.
Check Any Warning Lights
If you have any warning lights, be sure to look into them prior to travel. An engine warning light can cause feelings of dread, but the problem may be minor and easy to fix. You can use a diagnostic tool such as icarsoft to detect any issues with airbags, engine lights or transmissions. Sorting any issues before you travel can prevent any further issues during your trip.
Consider buying a new / second hand car
If your car no longer suits your needs, you may want to consider purchasing a new one. Look into selling your old car too to get the best deal. You can even sell your non-roadworthy car to put money towards your new purchase.
Hopefully you will have found this useful and it will serve as a reminder to make sure your car is road worthy before travel. For more advice on getting your car set for travelling in winter, check out this great post on Winter Ready Wheels.
Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post.