Preparing your car for a summer holiday

It’s been a long time coming, but the warmer weather is finally on the horizon - as are our highly anticipated summer holidays! If you’re heading across the country in your car this summer, there are a few ways in which you can be prepared for a smooth journey… 

Carry out the necessary checks on your car

Before any long drive, safety has to come first, so make sure your car has everything it needs to serve you best on your trip. Make sure that your checks include: 

• Tyre tread and pressure
• Screenwash levels 
• Bulb function 
• Oil levels 

Pack essential items 

Your car is a great place to keep important items that you might need while you’re on the road, such as…

…a first aid kit 

Having some basic supplies in the boot can stop a minor medical incident such as a grazed knee or insect bite from spoiling a day out. 

…a torch 

From serious instances such as a breakdown in the dark to something dropped under a seat, a torch is always handy to keep in your car. 

...loose change

You never know when you’ll come across a car park machine that only takes change, so you’ll thank yourself for keeping a stash of pounds and pennies in your car. 

...documentation

In the event of an accident or a breakdown, having the necessary documents to hand, such as insurance details and breakdown cover, will help make a stressful situation just that little bit easier. 

Pack efficiently 

It’s amazing how much luggage a family needs for a week! Whilst loading up your car for a holiday can often feel like a game of Tetris, packing efficiently will help your car perform better, and create some order to the packing process. 

Put the heavier items towards the middle of the vehicle, and lighter items at the back. If you’re lucky enough to have a roof box, put your lightest items in there - and make sure it’s secured! 

Tee up the tech

Making sure your sat nav is working and ready to go can prevent time-wasting on the day; when everyone’s settled and ready for the trip, you’ll want to avoid hanging around on the drive trying to sort the sat nav. 

Another thing to bear in mind is the soundtrack - not everyone will see eye to eye on the playlists, but we’re pretty sure everyone can agree that silence isn’t golden on a road trip! If you have Bluetooth audio in the car, make sure the relevant phones are connected and ready for those singalongs.