Bank Holiday Driving Tips

May 23, 2014

If you’re planning a trip this bank holiday weekend, here at ACC UK Ltd we want you to enjoy the journey as well as the break. Make sure you plan your journey to avoid getting lost or stuck in traffic jams. Take plenty of water and refreshments with you and if you have children, some games to help keep them amused is also a good idea! Check out our facebook page to see our hints and tips for top games to play in the car during long journeys!

Here are our top tips to help you enjoy the drive to your destination, whether its a trip to the coast or a longer journey to Scotland, and ultimately avoid a breakdown this May Bank Holiday.

Car checks before you set off:

Check all the wiper blades for wear or splitting, check the windscreen washer fluid level and check that the washer jets are adjusted correctly, no point having the water spray over your roof!
Check oil and coolant levels following the instructions in the owners handbook, if unsure give us a call, we are more than happy to help over the phone. We stock handy Boot Bags that you can keep in the boot of your car should you require a top up whilst you are away, ask at reception.
Check the condition of the Tyres, (inc. the spare if you have one in the boot - nothing worse than finding your spare is flat) for correct pressures and legal tread depth. The current minimum legal tread depth for cars and light commercial vehicles (up to 3500 kg gvw') is 1.6mm, make sure you have your locking wheel nut key in your car should you need it - no point in it being at home in the garage!
If you plan to take a caravan or trailer on your journey, check the tyre condition and make sure all the lights are working
Make sure the jack and wheel brace are in correct working order. It may be useful to practice changing the spare wheel, following instructions from your owner's handbook, if you have any doubt regarding changing your tyre please feel free to pop in and we will be more than happy to show you
Have the cooling system checked. A puddle of clear water underneath your vehicle when stationary is normal for vehicles with air conditioning, but a leaking cooling system or inoperative cooling fan could cause the vehicle to overheat and cause extensive and very expensive damage to the engine. If your aircon smells its best to bring it in to your local independent garage for a test and re-gas, nobody wants to be stuck in traffic in the heat with an airconditioning system that does not work!
Check all the exterior lights and dashboard warning lights are working correctly, if you have a warning light on do not ignore it hoping it will go away or think you will address the issue once you return - this could be a serious fault with the car or a minor problem that left unattended could lead to a bigger problem - get it checked out before you start your journey - you do afterall want to get to your destination and dont want your Bank Holiday ruined by a car failure! Its better to have peace of mind and a safe and reliable vehicle
Take the spare set of car keys with you in case you accidently lock yourself out or lose them
Never overload your vehicle or caravan beyond their designed carrying capacity, and make sure roof boxes are fitted correctly
Have your car serviced regularly by your local independent garage. Although this sounds obvious, many people don’t and it really does help to prevent future car problems. Especially before long journeys, or journeys where you’re likely to get stuck in traffic. This is incredibly important and can help avoid a breakdown - servicing is done because parts of the car reach the end of their life and genuinely do need replacing.

Weather conditions:

Take sunscreen in case you break down and have to stand outside waiting for the recovery vehicle
Beware flooding – flash floods are common - especially with this weather we are currently experiencing. Pack waterproofs and some warmer clothing, especially if you are going to be taking a journey at night - it may be cold
Do not drive through flood water- especially on unfamiliar roads, you don’t know how deep it is and it can cause engine failure if the engine takes water in - this is not something that is covered by your insurance - you will have to carry the cost of car repairs and new engines so best not to take the chance and find an alternative route.