Family road trips are amongst the most fun you can have as a household. Even though most road trips might seem relatively boring, on account of being domestic holidays as opposed to bombastic international affairs, it is nonetheless true that so much more is possible on the open road than on a controlled beach in the Costa del Sol.
Raucous fun as a road trip can be, there is increased risk attached to centring your summer holidays around travelling by car. The vehicle itself is a major source of potential hazards, and – no matter how simple or austere your road trip plans – safety checks should be the first and last things you do before you set off. What are the most important checks to consider before you embark on your family road trip holiday?
The Engine
Naturally, you will want to start with the engine. The proper operation of your engine will ensure a smooth ride, and minimise the risk of a failure on the motorway. Start with checking the oil; does your oil dipstick indicate that there is enough oil in the reservoir? If it does, does the oil appear to be dark or gunky? You’re looking for a relative abundance of relatively clear oil, else you may need to top up or even change your engine oil.
The Tyres
Next, your tyres are a crucial safety check. For one, are they pumped up to the right pressure? Too much and you can lose traction; too little and you can drag a little on the road. For another, are your tyres still well-treaded? A shallow tread depth can vastly decrease your stability on the road, and below 1.6mm is even illegal.
The Brakes
While we’re talking about tyres, this might also be a good opportunity to consider your brakes. A visual inspection can be enough to confirm they are in good condition, but testing the brake pedal before you set off is also recommended. If your brake pedal feels soft under-foot, or if you break and your car shifts in one direction, you may have a problem on your hands.
Cabin Comfort
In the summer, temperature is of key importance – and especially when you have young children along for the ride. Is your air con in good working condition? Even if it is, you may benefit from getting an aircon regas; this should be done on a semi-regular basis anyway, and is often the last thing on a driver’s mind besides. With this, you can guarantee a cool cockpit even in spite of inclement summer weather conditions.
Emergency Equipment
As a final note, keeping an emergency kit in your car is a highly important step to take for the safety of your family. Even with all these checks, there’s no guaranteeing that nothing will go wrong as you travel; you’ll need power banks for your smartphones, food and water for yourselves and the kids, and car maintenance tools for simple issues like a flat tyre.
