Planning a holiday or preparing for a long-distance road trip? Before packing your bags and hitting the road, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

A few simple vehicle safety checks before travelling can help prevent unexpected breakdowns, improve road safety and give you greater peace of mind when travelling with family and friends.

At Future Motor Lease, we believe that getting to your destination safely is just as important as enjoying the journey. That’s why we’ve put together five essential car checks to complete before your next road trip.

1. Check Your Vehicle’s Fluid Levels

Your vehicle relies on several essential fluids to operate safely and efficiently. Although most fluid levels are checked during routine services, it’s worth having them inspected before embarking on a long journey.

Pay particular attention to:

• Engine oil: Helps lubricate engine components and prevent excessive wear.
• Coolant: Regulates engine temperature and helps prevent overheating.
• Brake fluid: Ensures your braking system operates effectively.
• Windscreen washer fluid: Helps keep your windscreen clean and visibility clear.

If any fluid levels are unusually low, have a qualified mechanic investigate the cause before travelling. Low fluid levels could indicate a leak or another underlying mechanical issue.

A quick inspection could help prevent unnecessary delays and unexpected problems along the way.

2. Inspect Your Tyres and Tyre Tread

Your tyres are your vehicle’s only point of contact with the road, making them one of the most important things to check before a road trip.

Before leaving, make sure you:

• Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, using the recommended pressure for your vehicle’s load.
• Inspect tyre tread depth to ensure sufficient grip on the road.
• Look for cracks, bulges, cuts or uneven tyre wear.
• Check that your spare tyre is properly inflated and in good condition.
• Make sure you have your wheel spanner, jack and locking wheel-nut key if required.

Incorrect tyre pressure, worn tread and damaged tyres can increase the risk of a blowout and negatively affect your vehicle’s handling and braking performance.

If you notice vibrations, uneven tyre wear or your vehicle pulling to one side, have your wheel alignment and balancing checked before departure.

3. Test Your Lights and Indicators

Being visible to other motorists is essential, especially when travelling at night, in poor weather conditions or on unfamiliar roads.

Before your trip, ask someone to help you check that all your vehicle’s lights are working correctly.

Remember to test:

• Headlights (both high and low beams).
• Brake lights.
• Front and rear indicators.
• Hazard lights.
• Reverse lights.
• Number plate lights.

Also, pay attention to any warning lights appearing on your dashboard. Never ignore warning indicators, as they could signal an issue that needs attention before you travel.

If any lights aren’t working or your dashboard displays an unfamiliar warning, have the problem checked before setting off.

4. Check Your Windscreen Wipers

South Africa’s weather can be unpredictable, and sudden downpours can make driving conditions particularly challenging.

Over time, exposure to the harsh South African sun can cause windscreen wiper blades to crack, perish or lose their effectiveness.

Before travelling, check that:

• Your wiper blades are free from cracks and visible damage.
• Your wipers clear water effectively without leaving streaks.
• Your windscreen washer system is working.
• Your washer fluid reservoir is filled.

Good visibility is essential for safe driving. If your wipers are leaving streaks or struggling to clear your windscreen, replace them before your journey.

5. Make Sure You Have Roadside Assistance

Even with the best preparation, unexpected vehicle problems can happen. That’s why having access to reliable roadside assistance is important when travelling long distances.

Before leaving, make sure you know who to contact if you experience a breakdown, flat tyre or roadside emergency.

Here are a few useful resources for South African motorists:

• Namola: A safety and emergency response app.
• Waze: Provides navigation, traffic updates and road incident information.
• N3 Toll Route: Follow @N3Route for useful updates and travel information along the N3.
• AA South Africa: Offers roadside assistance services and membership options. Visit the AA website to explore available services.