With the international borders closed, a lot of people have been looking at road trips around Australia as a form of traveling. Going on a road trip with family or friends should be fun for everyone involved, but sometimes things can go wrong. Adequately preparing your car for a road trip is key to a successful getaway so that you can avoid any mishaps along the way!

So, what should you be doing before hitting the road?

Gathering all the essential tools before your road trip

If you intend to go off the beaten track and explore the Australian outback, help might not be readily available. Having the right tools in case of an emergency will help you get back on the road as soon as possible, so you can avoid having to sleep in your car overnight! The tools that you should have on hand should include the likes of a car jack, adjustable wrenches, wheel brace, tow rope and socket sets. You should also consider taking some general equipment with you such as torches, a battery charger, some emergency fuel and of course…your first aid kit!

Making sure your vehicle is covered for your road trip

You should know whether your vehicle is covered each time you take it for a drive. However, it doesn’t hurt to look over the policy before your road trip to triple-check that you’re covered for everything you need. We recommend checking your roadside assistance, and making sure that you’re covered no matter how far away from home you are.

Checking your tyres

A few weeks before leaving on your road trip, you should visually assess the condition of your tyres. Some things that you should be looking out for include excessive or uneven wear, cuts, and potentially hidden nails that could result in a puncture. Before you head off, you should pop by your local service station and check the tyre inflation pressure and reset it to the recommended value. A crucial tip is to also check your spare tyre so that it’s ready to be used in case you need it!

Checking under the bonnet

Even if you’ve had your car serviced recently, it won’t hurt to do a quick DIY maintenance check of all your car oils. Some things you should be looking out for include the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and the windscreen washer reservoir.

Checking all car lights

While you’re driving your car, it can be hard to know whether all your lights and indicators are working. If you’re going on a long road trip, you will most likely be driving at night, which is why you need to make sure that you’ve got a clear view of the road ahead. Switch on all your headlights and indicators, and take a walk around your car to ensure everything is working correctly.

If you need to book a service before your next road trip, book online today! Once you’ve done all of the above, you’re good to turn on the car, put your favourite playlist on, and hit the road!