Page 25 - INTRA MUROS December 2020

LIFESTYLE

Festive Season Travel Tips

or peace of mind before you embark 2. Lights - Test all your lights, indicators, 7. Fluids - Although car fluids are typically
on your long-distance travel, make brake lights, and fog lights one by one. checked during routine services, make
Fsure your vehicle is safe and ready for sure you check these from time to time,
the trip. 3. Wipers and demisters - Test both front including windshield washer fluid, brake
and rear wipers, squirt washer fluid to fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and oil.
Get a good night’s sleep before you leave. make sure your wipers clean the glass
If you are driving long distance you want clearly. 8. Spare wheel - A simple yet critical check
to be well rested and ready for a long travel is making sure you have a spare tyre, jack,
day. If you get tired, pull over and rest. 4. Dashboard warning lights - At a and wheel spanner, and that they are all
first glance, dashboard warning lights working properly. Also check the tyre
Remember to drive according to the speed can give you a quick indication when pressure of your spare tyre before setting
limit, this will help make your drive much something is wrong. When you turn on off.
safer and less stressful for you and all your the ignition, all warning lights should flash
passengers. on momentarily. As soon as you note a 9. Brakes and clutch - Always check the
warning light that stays on, get it checked state of your brake pads by how your
immediately. vehicle reacts to braking when driving;
10 safety tips and checks and if it pulls to either side under braking.
to prepare your vehicle 5. Steering - If you feel like you are having If your brakes sound like they’re squeaking
and scratchy or they’re shuddering, get
a tug-o-war with the steering wheel to
for the trip: keep your car tracking in a straight line, them changed immediately!
or the steering needs alignment, get it
1. Tyre pressure and tread - Making sure inspected by a professional. 10. Roadside assistance - Lastly, make
your tyre pressure is correct is critical for sure you’re signed up with a good roadside
safety as well as for avoiding a dreaded 6. Battery - A dead battery means your assistance to help prevent being stranded
blowout! Always use a tyre gauge to check car won’t start. Car batteries usually need in bad weather or the middle of nowhere.
your tyres. Take your car in to have the replacing every few years, sometimes
tread checked on all four tyres to make sooner. If your starter sounds sluggish, it’s Safe travels!
sure they are not too worn or unevenly either corrosion or a dying battery – either
worn. way, get it checked!

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