Your summer road trip safety checklist

Perhaps you arrived here by googling ‘mot near me’ or ‘mot centre near me’ but we’re also interested in things far away here at Dumfries MOT Centre, like road trips. Car safety too. So what better blog than your summer road trip safety checklist?

Here goes.

Route to trip

Plan your road-trip route. That’s our first top tip. As well as finding out what the weather, road conditions, and traffic are likely to be along the way once you have.

Cool’s the rule

You’re not the only one that needs to keep cool on a summer road trip, so please make sure that you have enough coolant in your vehicle, and that the coolant meets the manufacturer’s specifications. See the user’s manual for more on this. We can check the cooling system for leaks, test the coolant, and drain or replace the old coolant.

Keep your fluids up

Keep your fluids up and remember that you’re not going to get very far if your car engine is spitting feathers because the oil and water require a top-up. Check your vehicle’s oil level periodically throughout your road trip too. Also bear in mind the other car fluids: brake; automatic transmission or clutch; power steering; screenwash.

Respect the rubber

Respect the rubber. It’s the only contact point between you and the road, so your tyres should be inflated to the recommended level. It’s usually displayed on a wee metal plate in the car door frame that you can see when it’s open, or, again, you’ll find it in the user’s manual.

Channel your inner Bear Grylls

What would Beat Grylls take? Pack a survival kit in the boot that will equip you for all weather. We’re talking sunscreen, plenty of water for you as well as the car, blankets, snacks, jump leads, hand wipes etc. You might even take it to the next level with a torch, tyre pressure gauge or inflator, and maybe even a first aid kit.

Weight a moment…

Check your owner’s manual for the maximum payload capacity and keep this number in mind as you load suitcases and people into the car. Pay attention to your towing capacity too.

Keep things secure

You might be going over more bumps or have to anchor on the brakes for some reason so you might wish to keep suitcases and prams and bags of this and that all secure with bungee cords or rope.

Air con

As the temperature rises and you clock up all those miles on the clock, spare a thought for the old air conditioning. It has to work harder to keep your vehicle cool. It’s a good idea to check the air-con performance before travelling. A stuffy car with air-con on the blink won’t be fun for anybody.

Ya belter

The summer sun and the high temperatures it brings can accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Might be an idea to take a look under the bonnet and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of bulges, blisters, cracks or cuts in the rubber. It’s best to replace them before you depart if they show signs of any of the above. While you’re at it, make sure all hose connections are secure. If you’d rather not do this, get in touch with us.

Light of the Road

Check your headlights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, and interior lights to make sure they’re all in good working order and are clean as a whistle.

Blades of glory

How are your windscreen wiper blades?  Being at the vanguard, they’re vulnerable to wet and windy and snowy weather but also to summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear on both sides. The blades can warp and fail to work properly in both directions and you might need new ones.

Mat finish

Finally, you don’t want rumpled and crumpled car mats interfering with your feet’s ability to operate the accelerator or brake pedal. Perhaps use retention clips to secure the mat, and always make sure to use mats that are the correct size and fit for your vehicle.

If you’re concerned about anything whatsoever connected to the smooth running of your car, or it’s in need of some attention from expert mechanics, book it in for a service with Dumfries MOT Centre and we will check the brakes and tyres as standard plus address any other concerns you have to ensure that everything’s in good working order so that you can hit the road with total confidence.