Essential Vehicle Checks Before Your Road Trip

When instructors in your Sydney driving school ask you to take care of your vehicle, they’re not being sentimental. They’re actually trying to teach you to stay prepared and avoid unnecessary problems while driving. Imagine you’re going on a road trip, all excited and enthusiastic. But, a few hours in and your engine starts overheating or the tyres need changing, and you end up calling roadside assistance. What a mood killer that would be! But such vehicle issues can also derail your plans for the trip. A recent survey found that flat batteries, tyre issues, and overheating are among the main reasons why drivers call for roadside assistance. Having a well-maintained vehicle can help you avoid these issues. That’s why it’s important to do some essential vehicle checks before going out on a long journey. This post explores the necessary checks every driver should do before their road trip.

Do These Vehicle Checks Before Every Trip

When planning for a road trip or a long journey, we make sure to check our bags or go through our route plans. But we often forget to check our vehicle’s condition and performance. Educating drivers about what to check in the vehicle before a trip is not just for convenience. These checks ensure your safety, help you avoid unnecessary expenses, and also obey the law. In Australia, even programs like the Safer Drivers Course teach drivers to do some basic vehicle checks every day and especially before long trips. Here are some basic checks that all drivers should know and do before every trip:

1. Check Your Oil

If your engine oil is low, it will cause more friction and lead to overheating of the engine. It can also cause engine failure and affect your trip. A quick check to ensure your engine oil is full can save you a lot of trouble on your journey. If necessary, do a quick oil top-up and also carry an oil funnel so that you can top up your engine oil if needed during the trip.

2. Inspect Your Brakes

Checking the brakes for any wear or damage is very important, especially if you’re going on a long trip. If your brakes are not working properly, you won’t be able to stop immediately and effectively while driving, which increases the risk of an accident. Before leaving for a long trip, you should check the brakes and ensure they’re performing well. If not, get them repaired to avoid any potential damage or accident.

3. Do a Tyre Pressure Check

Checking the tyre pressure is very important before going on any long journey. If your tire pressure is low, it will cause higher gas mileage and tire wear and also increase the risk of accidents. A recent study showed that less than 50% of drivers aged 18–24 regularly check their tyre pressure before long drives. Driving schools and government programs should emphasise the importance of checking tyre pressure in programs like the Safer Drivers Course and other driving courses, so that drivers are aware of the repercussions of ignoring these small checks.

4. Inspect the Fuel Levels

Remember how your instructors taught you to check the fuel levels and keep the tank full in your early driving lessons? Sufficient fuel levels prevent the vehicle engine from exerting more effort and also ensure proper and smooth functioning. That’s why maintaining proper fuel levels at all times, especially when going on long road trips, is essential. Ensure that coolant and engine oil are full and carry extra for longer journeys.

5. Check the Battery

Without a properly working battery, the vehicle might face issues in starting swiftly, or it might stop or shut down suddenly. So, when you’re planning to leave for a road trip, it’s best to check the batteries and replace them if necessary. It can help you avoid getting stranded in unfamiliar places without help.

6. Top Off Fluids and Replace Filters

Fluids like coolant, brake oil, windshield washer liquid, etc., can keep your engine cool, smooth your transmissions, and improve vehicle performance. Filters, on the other hand, maintain airflow and improve the efficiency of the vehicle. So, before you head out for your trip, make sure to check the fluid levels and clean the filters.

7. Verify Your Lights Are Working

Properly working lights are a necessity, no matter where you’re planning to drive. So, ensure all your lights are working properly and replace any lights if needed. This will improve your visibility at night and in adverse weather that reduces visibility, ensuring your safety on the road.

Conclusion

When embarking on a fun-filled holiday or an adventurous road trip, ensuring safety should be as much a part of the planning process as anything else. Just like you check our camping gear before going camping, you should also check your vehicle for proper functioning or any damage before you go for a long road trip. Checking the brakes, tyre pressure, lights, fuel levels, fluids, and batteries before heading out can help you avoid unfavourable circumstances like a vehicle stopping due to overheating or a lack of enough tyre pressure. Without these checks, even a memorable holiday trip can turn into a roadside nightmare quickly. If you’re also planning a road trip, don’t forget to do these checks before you leave. And if you want to learn more about how to check these things, talk to your instructor or join a Safer Drivers Course. Reputed Sydney driving school like Onroad Driving Education offer multiple courses with expert instructors so that you learn not just to drive, but also take care of your vehicle.

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