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Help, Safety & Advice
- Road safety
- Motoring advice
- Driving in Europe
- Driving in Europe: the law
- Driving in Europe: practicalities
- Driving in Europe: road safety
- How to load your car
- Combating fatigue
- Driving in Europe: driving abroad in winter
- Driving in Europe: before you set off
- Take the scenic route
- Which country is safest?
- Taking a caravan on holiday
- Taking children on holiday
- Driving at night
- If the worst happens
- Fast driving
- Dealing with jams
- Summer Drivetime Magazine
- Winter Drivetime Magazine
Route Planner
Driving in Europe: before you set off
The last thing you want to do on holiday is to have an accident or break down. Trying to get a clapped out car moving again in a foreign country, when you don't speak the language, and the children are tired and hungry, and you'd rather be sitting on the beach, can be very stressful.
It's essential to make sure, before you set off, that your breakdown cover is still valid if you drive outside the UK. Green Flag's Euro Plus option, for example, provides 90 days European cover.
Of course, it would be better not to break down in the first place. Apart from making sure your car is regularly serviced, you can minimise the risk of something going wrong by giving your car a quick health check before you leave.
Fluids and brakes ...
Firstly, with the car on level ground, make sure the oil and coolant levels are topped up. This simple procedure is vital to keep your car running smoothly and to stop your engine overheating. Then, make sure you have a tool-kit packed. Ensure it contains at least a jack and wheel removal tools in case of a puncture.
Check your brakes. Press the brake pedal and check that it doesn't feel spongy. If it does, there may be air in the hydraulic system, which should be removed before you set off.
Another thing to do is to 'bounce' each corner of your car. If it doesn't settle after one or two bounces, then the shock absorbers may need changing.
... wipers, lights
Check the windscreen washers and wipers, and check the wiper blades. Renew damaged or split blades and top up the screen wash. Also check that all the lights work, including the indicator, brake and number plate lights.
... and tyres
Worn tires could result in an untimely puncture. Check each tyre for any damage, bulges or objects stuck in the treads or sidewalls. If the tread on a tyre has worn more on one side than the other, it may be a sign that the wheels are misaligned. By UK law, tires should have at least 1.6mm depth of tread. This is the legal minimum, but it's best to change your tires well before they become this worn.
Tyre pressure is also important. Under-inflated tires will lead to increased fuel consumption, as well as wear and tear. If your tyre pressure is too high, however, it could lose traction in wet conditions. Check the pressure corresponds to the recommended levels written on the tyre.
Under the bonnet
You may not be a mechanic, but take a quick look under the bonnet. Check to see if there are any obvious split or cracked wires, cracked radiator hoses or loose clamps or corrosion around the battery terminals. If there are, get them repaired before you leave.
Finally, get someone to hold a cloth over the end of the exhaust while you start the engine. If there are no leaks in the exhaust system, the engine should stall after a few seconds. If there are leaks, you'll need to get them repaired.
Don't spend your holiday sitting on the hard shoulder when you could be relaxing on the beach. Check your car is healthy before you go, and in case the worst happens, make sure you have adequate breakdown cover.
