3 December 2017

Is your vehicle ready for your Holiday Road Trip?

Its December, and Christmas is just around the corner – can you believe it! At this time of the year we will all be doing more driving than usual –  shopping trips, trips to the beach, visiting friends and relatives – and for some of us, an annual road trip to holiday or spend Christmas with family.

If you are planning a long road trip, you need to think about preparing your car – this is not the time to have your car break down halfway between home and your destination due to something that could have been prevented with a little maintenance.

Even if your car’s services are up to date – it is a good idea to have your car checked over by a qualified mechanic before you leave on a long road trip. There are a number of things that can fail due to normal wear and tear, that only a mechanic will be able to pick up. Make a point of doing this at least 3 weeks before Christmas, so that if problems are found you will have enough time to get them rectified.

Here are some checks that need to be made:

  • Check the level of fluids and top up where needed – fluids such as power steering fluid, windscreen washer fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant to name a few.
  • Check your windscreen wipers and replace any work wiper blades if needed.
  • Check the car battery for charge, corrosion, cables and fluid top up
  • Check all of your vehicle’s lights to make sure that they are working properly
  • Check the condition of all tyres (including the spare) for wear and correct inflation, and check the alignment of the tyres on the vehicle
  • Have a look at the condition of the timing belt, spark plugs, hoses and connections in the engine
  • Check on the condition of springs, shock absorbers and struts
  • Check the condition of your brake pads
  • Check the oil and air filters

 

If you are not a member of one of the automobile associations in Australia, and you don’t have a roadside assistance plan, consider joining, so that you will have access to a tow truck or roadside assistance if you need this.

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Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

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If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

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