With the proper preparation, lengthy vehicle trips can be an enjoyable experience. Here’s our manual to making long journeys as fun as possible!

Whether you’re visiting relatives, travelling for work, or heading away on a summer staycation, a lengthy vehicle journey is something a lot of us do often. As with the majority of things, being well prepared is the important thing to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. The last thing you want is to be broken down halfway along your journey!

Here are our top 10 pre long journey tips that will help you drive more safely, keep away from needless breakdowns and make that long journey a touch less difficult and much better fun! So, crank up your stereo, put the sunglasses on and enjoy your drive.

1. Tyre Pressures

The correct tyre pressure is absolutely critical to ensuring that your vehicle can brake, grip and steer properly. Even one over-or under-inflated tyre could have a large effect on how your vehicle drives.

Many modern vehicles come with a TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring sensor) valve that tells you your tyre pressures digitally and alerts you if they’re incorrect. If your vehicle doesn’t have this, use a tyre pressure gauge (these are cheap and readily available from almost all major retailers) to check all the levels for you set off on a long journey.

You can discover the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle in the handbook and commonly on a sticker inside the driver’s door. Topping up with more air at your nearby garage is easy, with most pumps permitting you to set the desired pressure first.

2. Windscreen Wipers and Screenwash

Driving with a dirty or smeared windscreen is irritating and also can be dangerous. Check your windscreen wipers and replace them if needed, they aren’t expensive, and it is essential.

Don’t neglect the topping up of screenwash to a sufficient level so you can keep your windscreen clean at all times on your long journey. These are equally important in summer as winter as pollen and squashed bugs can hinder your windscreen vision.

3. Oil Level

Oil is one of the most important factors in maintaining your vehicle’s engine health whilst on a long journey. Running out of oil could cause very costly damage and leave you stranded. Not to mention ruining your trip!

Traditionally, every vehicle came with a dipstick to allow you to check your oil levels yourself. Many present-day vehicles do not have dipsticks and use the vehicle’s computer to monitor the oil level and display this on the dashboard. We advise checking your vehicle handbook to check if this is the case.

If your vehicle doesn’t alert you, check your oil levels manually with the dipstick and if it’s gone below the recommended level, top it up, but don’t overdo it because that is also bad for the engine.

4. Lights

Fully functioning lights are critical for a secure journey, not just so you can see when it gets dark, but for other road users to be able to see you and your intentions. We recommend checking your headlights, indicators, and brake lights before setting off on a long journey.

You’ll need a helper on hand to check the lights seeing as you’ll be inside the car. Have the helper stand in front of the vehicle whilst you switch on every light in succession – main beam headlights, dipped beam, and indictors. Then have them stand in the back of the vehicle whilst you press the brake pedal and put the vehicle in reverse to test the brake lighting and reversing lights.

Changing bulbs is a relativity simple job on some vehicles but can be really difficult on others so it may not be worth trying to do this yourself. Feel free to pop down to any of our 6 Nottingham branches and we will happily change any defective bulbs for you!

5. Engine Coolant

Engine coolant keeps your vehicle’s engine in the best of health by regulating the temperature of the cooling device. A lot of newer vehicles have a closed coolant system so don’t need topping up.

With older vehicles, you may need to check the levels and top them up manually. You can see the fluid level in a reservoir in the engine bay. If this is close or below the minimum level marker, then you will need to top it up.

6. Tyre Tread Depths

Worn tyres can have a significant effect on your vehicle’s handling, braking and protection as a whole. Before a long journey, take a look at that your tyre treads have a minimum depth of 1.6mm across the central 3 quarters using a measuring gauge. If your tread is lower than 3mm, then it is time to consider replacing your tyres before a long journey.

Buying a car from Lindleys Vehicles Sales? Every Lindleys vehicle is checked to ensure the tyres (and everything else) are in the best condition before being put on the market for sale. Check the latest vehicles in stock.

7. Fuel Level

It’s tempting to get on the road and make good progress on your long journey, however filling up with a tank of gas at or close to the beginning of your adventure may help to prevent time (and decrease stress) later on.

Knowing that you’ve got a full tank offers you peace of mind and will stop you from having to visit an unexpected area towards the end of your journey, desperately trying to find a fuel station.

If you’ve got a plug-in hybrid or electric powered vehicle, ensure it’s completely charged before you set off. Plan your route if your battery life doesn’t last for your journey to make sure you can get to a suitable charger for your vehicle.

8. Emergency Supplies

Pack something that can be beneficial in an emergency in the case of an intermittent breakdown.

A red warning triangle is a highly recommended way of alerting other drivers of your presence.

It’s also recommended that you carry some warm garments and snacks inside the vehicle in case you are stuck for a prolonged period of time.

9. Have Your Vehicle Serviced Often

The best way to ensure your vehicle is prepared for a long journey is by having it serviced regularly. That way you know you’ve done everything you can with regards to making sure the vehicle is in its best condition before your trip.

Most vehicles will alert you via the dashboard when a service is due, but it’s always worth checking – If in doubt, check your handbook or call us today and we’ll let you know when your service is due.

If you want to be sure that your car is in its best possible condition, book a free health check at Lindleys Autocentres.  We offer a full range of servicing, with 12 months parts and labour warranty. To request a booking, simply choose your nearest Lindleys Autocentres and enter your registration.