#Car maintenance checklist for road trip drivers#
#Car maintenance checklist for road trip driver#
#Car maintenance checklist for road trip manual#

#Car maintenance checklist for road trip driver#

They are crucial to keeping you safe within the vehicle in the event of an accident, which is why it is illegal for the driver or passengers in a vehicle to drive without a seatbelt on South African roads.

One of the most important safety features in your vehicle are the safety belts and car chairs for children. If unsure, have your shock absorbers checked by the experts at DEKRA. That is why worn shock absorbers affect a great deal of your carâ€™s handling and tyre wear and tear. The springs within your car's suspension act as a cushion between the axles and the body and reduce the shocks on the body produced by a rough road surface. Shock absorbers control unwanted motion of a spring-mounted vehicle. Make sure to check all your vehicle's fluid levels on a regular basis to maintain optimum engine function. No engine can function in the absence of water and oil. It is important to make sure that your headlights, bright lights, brakes, reverse lights and indicator lights are in working order, including a trailer or any other item you are towing.

#Car maintenance checklist for road trip drivers#

Car lights indicate to drivers around you whether you are braking or changing direction. External lights also allow the vehicle to be seen by other road users at night or during foggy or rainy conditions. The lights in and around your vehicle serve a multitude of purposes that allow the driver to see the road at night or while driving in severe weather conditions. Make sure that your side and rear-view mirrors are clean, clear and in good working order to allow you to position them optimally. Mirrors in a vehicle provide the driver with the means to see around and behind the vehicle, which is essential when navigating traffic in any scenario. Also remember to fill up the wiper fluid in your engine compartment, to help with any stubborn dirt or debris. That is why it is important to check your wipers following the winter months or before you head out on the open road, in preparation for summer downpours or any debris that may land on your windscreen. The purpose of your wipers is to clean debris and water from the windscreen to enhance the driver's view. If the rubber is perished and weathered on your wipers, it will not perform as it should in a torrential downpour. It is a good idea to have chips on your windscreen fixed, before it turns into a crack, as this may lead to the entire windscreen having to be replaced. Windscreen repairs can be done easily and quickly, and it is often not as expensive as you think it may be. Chips and cracks compromise the integrity of the glass, which is why these need to be addressed sooner, rather than later. It extends well beyond the obvious need of providing the driver with an unobstructed view of the road, to playing an important role in the structural integrity of the vehicle. It may not seem that way, but a windscreen plays an integral role in the safety of your vehicle. This includes checking the brake fluid levels on your car and also the handbrake, as all these aspects play a role in bringing your car to a safe stop. If, however, you are in doubt, it is always a good idea to have your braking system checked by professionals such as DEKRA.

#Car maintenance checklist for road trip manual#

Your car owner's manual should give you a general idea of how often you may need to replace the brake pads on your vehicle.

Check your BrakesĪnother safety feature that is absolutely crucial to the safety of your vehicle, is its ability to stop, allowing you to keep control of your vehicle, even in risky situations. If you are unsure, have your tyres checked by professionals to see how you can extend the longevity of your tyres. The way that your tyres wear down, is often a tell-tale sign of any issues you may have with your tyre inflation, balancing and alignment. Most vehicles in SA are front-wheel-driven, which means your tyres at the front will wear down more than your back tyres will. Your tyres will generally not wear evenly across all four tyres. It would be wise to heed this stipulation, as it is one of the criteria your insurance company will consider in the event of an accident. This starts by checking the tread on your tyres, regularly.Īccording to South African law, tyres need a tread depth of at least 1 mm. Keeping your tyres firmly planted on the road is the first step to safety on the road.