SCOTS parents are being given advice on getting their cars ready for staycations ahead of the school summer holidays.
Experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have pulled together their top tips to help with a stress-free journey.
You should begin by carrying out a few essential maintenance checks – starting with ensuring that your tyres are in good order, with no sign of a slow puncture, and inflated to the right level.
If you can, keep a spare tyre in the boot and make sure your breakdown cover is up to date in case you hit any snags on the road.
It’s also important to top up your car’s fluids – oil, screen wash, engine coolant and, of course, fuel. You don’t want to be caught short on the motorway and delay your road trip.
If your car has been sitting idle, your battery will need to be checked to ensure that it is fully charged. A short 3.5-mile journey should help you notice anything unusual that might need professional attention.
Giving the interior a quick hoover and your windscreen a wipe will make the journey much more enjoyable if you’ve not been using your motor much and so haven’t bothered cleaning it.
Taking a test run with luggage and passengers to get used to driving with the extra weight is also a sensible precaution if you’ve not made such a trip in a while.
You should always check your route before setting off and be on the lookout for changing weather conditions, traffic, accidents and diversions.
If you’re relying on a sat nav or phone to guide you, make sure the mapping is up to date and that you can keep it powered up throughout the journey.
And remember to pack the essentials – keeping a spare mask, hand sanitiser, some snacks and bottled water in your car.
Food and drink can be particularly useful if you get stuck or have to wait for breakdown assistance. You might also want to keep a blanket, jump leads and a torch stowed.
Nationwide Vehicle Contracts director Keith Hawes said: “Staycations look set to soar but it’s vital to make sure your car is road-ready for both short and long journeys after sitting still during lockdown. Have fun and drive safely!”
The advice comes as a study for The Motor Ombudsman revealed that 77 per cent of car users would ensure checks were carried out on their tyres prior to setting off on a staycation.
The research also showed that 54 per cent were familiar with the meaning of tyre sidewall markings. If new tyres were needed, a massive 49 per cent said they would choose them based on the budget they had available over any other factors.
The findings were published to mark the launch of The Motor Ombudsman’s “Have the right atyre” social media campaign to raise awareness over the tyre safety issue.
Boss Bill Fennel said: “It is pleasing to see that there is a very high proportion of car users who would look at the condition of their tyres before heading off on their summer staycation.
“This is especially reassuring due to the fact that tyres play a key role in providing grip, stopping performance, reducing road noise and improving ride quality.”
