5 Tips to Keeping Your Car Safe for Christmas Roadtrips
08-December-2010
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Luggage packed, kids in car, dog at Aunt Patty's and you're ready to go on your Christmas roadtrip.
There's nothing like loading up the family car and hitting the road for a holiday (think the Griswalds Family Christmas)! But aren't you forgetting one thing?
Before your family hits the road, it's vital, for the safety of your beloved passengers, that you get your car serviced and be aware of signs that your car isn't in its safest working condition!
1. Car Doctor! Just as humans go to the doctor for checkups, you also need to ensure you take your car to the 'Car Doctor' for a check up! Get your car serviced by a reputable, reliable and trustworthy service centre to ensure your car is in tip-top condition!
2. Tyres: You need to keep your tyres in road- worthy condition so you won't skid from poor tyre grip if you brake suddenly. Ensure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure (check the tyre placard inside the glove box or door pillar). Also, ensure you check for any tyre damage or overly worn-down tyres. We recommend rotating tyres and ensuring you have a spare tyre in great condition (just in case).
3. Test your brakes! Brakes need to be tested regularly! If you have to really push down hard on your brakes to stop when driving, or you haven't had your brakes checked in a while, you need to check that your brake fluid and your brake pads are maintained. Stopping is just as important as accelerating when driving!
4. Like the energiser bunny, your car also needs a good battery to run! To help your battery work effectively, you can clean the corrosion off the battery terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water.
5. Before you hit the road ensure you always pack:
A basic car tool kit with your car maintenance essentials, including a torch, car jack and wheel brace, you'd be surprised at how many cars don't have these items in the boot, particularly when the car has been purchased second hand.
A high visibility vest with you as it helps other motorist see you if you've broken down on the side of the road. Also, the safety of your new dress may also be important so be sure to also carry an apron or a raincoat; this will of course protect you from the rain too, and a pair of latex gloves to protect your hands just in case to need to change your tyre.
An inflated spare tyre! It may be in the back of your car, but it shouldn't be in the back of your mind! Look after your spare tyre as you do all other tyres!
Car safety and maintenance tips proudly brought to you by Kmart Tyre & Auto Service - the experts in car maintenance www.ktas.com.au