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Pass this pre-road trip checklist onto a buddy and let’s help keep the roads safe.

Here is a quick list of 10 important things you need to check in your car before your road trip.

So, what exactly do you need to check before you embark on your road trip?

1. Fluids (oil and coolant)

An under-the-bonnet check is first on the list.

Check the fluid levels first, as it is one of the main concerns motorists need to be aware of and don’t check often enough. If your coolant and oil levels are low, you might have a little leak somewhere.

Make sure to also check the brake fluid, if this level is too low, your car is not safe to drive.

 

2.  Lights

If your trip involves driving at night or in misty conditions, you want to be sure that all of your car’s lights are working correctly – especially if you are in an unfamiliar region of the country. This is a simple but important test.

“We get a lot of clients that need new brake lights,” Older brake light globes regularly blow because this is a globe that you are using constantly as it switches on and off under braking.

3. Wipers

The test is simple – are the wipers clearing the water from the windscreen, or are they leaving lines of water that impair your vision? Before setting out on your road trip, use the windscreen washers to spray your windscreen and then check if the wipers are doing their job.

4. Wheels and tyres

Tyres are perhaps the most important part of your vehicle. They connect your car to the road, and if you are driving for hours at a time, they need to be in tip-top shape.

Firstly, look at the tread depth. Most tyres have a tread depth indicator, and once the tyre is worn to that point, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Check the surface of the tyre for any notable damage, or inflexions, and look for bubbles.

It is also important for drivers to check their tyre pressure regularly, even if they are not on a road trip. If a tyre is overinflated, it will wear in the middle of the tyre, and if it is underinflated, it will wear on the sides and edges.

BRAKE PADS5. Brake pads

Another important component to consider is your brake pad wear.

The brake pads are made up of a metal outer part and a composite inner part.

The composite inner part needs to be above 5mm thick. Once the pad wears down below this, we will advise that the pad needs to be replaced.

Make sure your handbrake is working correctly. Your handbrake should not click more than four times before it holds the car in place. Anything more than four clicks would not pass a roadworthy test.

6. Leaks

Following the under-the-hood checks of the fluid levels, it is a good idea to check for any leaks from various components and hoses underneath your car.

If you see some oil spots or coolant, which has a shiny texture and looks similar to oil, on the floor of your garage, have your vehicle checked.

7. Drive belts

While checking underneath your vehicle, examine the drive belt for any cracks.

If your drive belt is damaged or worn out, you may have a total engine shutdown.

You will not be able to charge the battery, and your vehicle will start overheating because the water pump is run by the belt.

This is very important – if anything happens to this belt, you will be stuck within a few kilometres.

If you are planning to be on the road for a long time, and if you have covered many kilometres since your last service, now is a good time to check.

8. Spare wheel

A simple yet essential check that you can do yourself before tackling any long journey is checking to see if your spare tyre, the jack, and a spanner, are all present in your vehicle and if they are working properly.

You also want to make sure that your spare wheel has a properly inflated tyre on it.

Chances are you have not had to use it for a while, so check the pressure before setting off to avoid being stuck in the middle of the Karoo with a flat spare wheel.

9. Steering

Some tests can only be done under driving conditions.

Our qualified technicians can pick up certain concerns that the everyday driver may miss. Things such as engine sounds, vibrations, and suspension.

For the steering check, we will take the vehicle on the road and see whether the steering pulls in a certain direction – if the vehicle veers to the left or the right.

This could indicate a wheel alignment problem. If this is present, we will raise the vehicle and check the wheels again or other components, such as the steering rack.

10. Brakes and clutch

While the brake pads are checked when the car is stationary, it is important to evaluate how the vehicle reacts to braking when driving – whether it pulls to either side under braking.

It is totally unsafe to drive a vehicle that cannot be controlled under braking.

We would like to end off by giving a shout-out to say thanks to the awesome team at Wheels24 for this informative article.

At Randburg Auto Repairs, we’re your go-to for prompt, affordable, and reliable car services, repairs, maintenance, and travel check-ups. 🚗🛠️💪

We cater to all makes and models of cars, SUVs, and bakkies, regardless of the manufacture year. We are RMI certified and boast a 5-Star MIWA rating so you know we’re the experts you can trust! 🌟🏆

For more information: 

📞 (011) 781-9629 ✉️ info@randburgautorepairs.co.za 📍 No. 2 King Street Kensington B, Randburg (Get Directions)

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Tune in and join the ride with us @autorepairsrbg. 

We’re here to keep you on the road! 🛣️🚘

Source: https://www.wheels24.co.za/News/10-things-you-need-to-check-in-your-car-before-your-road-trip-20171221-2

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