8 checks on your car before you go on holidays
Before setting off on holiday and making a long journey, we always wonder what we should check on our car. We've put together a list of the 8 main things you need to check if you're going on holiday in your car with complete peace of mind. Easy and accessible to all, you should carry out these checks at least 2 to 3 weeks before your big departure to allow time for the mechanic to intervene if there are things to correct.
Car check No. 1: roadworthiness tests
Before a long car journey, remember to check the date of your next roadworthiness test. Linked to safety and the environment, roadworthiness tests are a legal requirement for checking the car's essential mechanical components. To avoid being in breach of the law and liable to a fine, and to drive safely on holiday, it's an appointment not to be missed. The first inspection must be carried out 5 years after the vehicle was first put into circulation. After that, the frequency of inspections should be every 3 years, then every 2 years once the vehicle is over 8 years old. The roadworthiness test must be carried out by the motor vehicle department.
Car check No. 2: the vehicle service booklet
Supplied by the manufacturer when you buy a new vehicle or given to you when you sell a used one, the vehicle service booklet lists all the servicing recommended by the manufacturer for your vehicle. These are generally carried out every 2 years or, depending on the manufacturer, according to mileage, and include various maintenance operations on the vehicle, such as changing the engine oil to replace the old oil, renewing the oil filter to ensure that the engine is running smoothly, replacing the air filter to improve its efficiency and changing the timing belt to maintain it ...
As you can see, the maintenance booklet gives you maintenance deadlines to follow to limit the risk of breakdown or premature wear and tear. A real guarantee of the vehicle's condition, these recommendations should be taken seriously, especially if you're planning a long road trip. Is your service due soon? Don't hesitate to bring forward your appointment for servicing before you go on holiday.
Finally, if your car starts making an unusual noise, now is the time to take it into account. A popping sound in one wheel when accelerating or turning the steering wheel can indicate a tired universal joint. A "clacking" sound when you switch on the ignition is the sign of a starter that's in trouble... Don't wait until the next service to visit your garage, especially if you're planning a long car journey.
Can't find your car's service book? Don't panic, whatever the age of your vehicle, you'll be able to find a digital version that you can download from the Internet.
Car check no. 3: levels
You've decided to take your car for a holiday! According to your maintenance booklet, it's not yet time for a service. That doesn't mean you shouldn't check the levels. Checking the level of engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering, windscreen washer, etc. They're all accessible under the bonnet of your car. For each one, get the right product and don't dare make your own mixtures. Always observe the minimum and maximum levels. Finally, if your brake fluid is low, we recommend that you also check the wear of your brake pads and discs.
>> Calculate the insurance premium for your next trip <<
Car check no. 4: tyre wear and pressure
It's vital to check tyre pressure and wear before setting off on holiday. Your safety is at stake, especially on long journeys. To check tyre wear, perform a visual and tactile inspection. Visually, tyres should not be smooth and should retain their structure. Wear indicators help you to be precise: on the tread, the tread depth must be greater than 1.6 mm. You should also look inside the tyres to make sure they are not deformed or suffering from irregular wear, which could indicate poor balancing or misalignment. Finally, we recommend that you check your tyre pressure at least once a month, but particularly before any long journey. Expressed in bar, the correct tyre pressure is generally between 1.8 and 3 bar, depending on your vehicle and load. The recommended pressure is usually indicated on the inside of one of your vehicle's doors. Failing that, the recommended tyre pressure can always be found in the service booklet. Finally, don't forget that tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, i.e. on a vehicle that hasn't been driven for 2 hours.
Car check No. 5: windscreen wiper blades
Checking the windscreen wiper blades may seem like a secondary precaution before setting off on holiday, especially in summer. And yet you can never be safe from a thunderstorm! At speeds in excess of 100 km/h in heavy traffic, checking the wiper blades suddenly seems like a major check. Summer or winter, good visibility at the wheel in all weathers is a matter of course. When they don't have a wear indicator (a strip that usually turns yellow), your windscreen wipers can also send you clear signs of wear and tear. Do they leave lines of water on the windscreen? Do they squeak or leave behind an opaque film? It's time to replace them with new ones.
Car check No. 6: Cracks in the windscreen
It's not mentioned in the maintenance booklet, and it's not one of the checkpoints at the car service, but cracks in the windscreen should be taken seriously. A small chip or micro-crack can quickly become very annoying and cause irreparable damage to your weakened windscreen (strength divided by 6). If it measures less than 30 millimetres (about the size of a 2 chf coin) and is not in the driver's field of vision, the crack can be repaired by injecting a resin. Beyond that, the windscreen will have to be replaced. In such cases, be sure to check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy, as you may be covered by glass-breakage insurance.
>> Calculate the insurance premium for your next trip <<
Car check no. 7: the car's lights
Position lights, dipped beam lights, main beam lights, front fog lights, rear fog lights, brake lights, reversing lights... Lights are obviously part of the checks you should carry out on your car before leaving on holiday. If your car is too old to have a lighting fault indicator built into the dashboard, you've earned the right to go round and check all your lights (for stop lights, ask a friend for help). Finally, take the opportunity to check that you have a complete box of spare bulbs. It's highly advisable to have it on board, even if it's not compulsory.
Car check No. 8: the air conditioning
It's not always on the "car check" checklist before you go on holiday, yet air conditioning can be very useful when outside temperatures are approaching 30°C and traffic jams are looming on the holiday road. Professionals recommend checking your air conditioning every 2 or 3 years. Before you go on holiday, check the air conditioning yourself by turning it up to full blast and observe how it reacts. If the cold is slow in coming, recharge the refrigerant gas. If the smell is unpleasant, fungus or bacteria have probably settled in your ventilator over the winter.
Bonus: take out assistance in addition to your insurance cover
Your car breaks down just outside your home, you're not sure about the garage quote and would like to seek specialist advice, your keys, motorbike helmet or luggage in your boot are stolen...
To deal with every situation, think about taking out an assistance contract to complement your car insurance contract. Particularly if you're going abroad, travel insurance can be useful for any unforeseen situation and can help you avoid high health costs, even when travelling by car.
Finally, whatever the outcome of these checks, stay calm. Although unpleasant, an unexpected expense before you go on holiday is preferable to a breakdown!
