As the summer break approaches, many people are looking forward to a holiday – often this involves long drives and sometimes even towing a caravan, or loading the car with camping equipment. Or it could simply mean luggage and more people than the vehicle normally carries. Any long journey can place extra strain on a vehicle, therefore it’s important to make a series of checks on the vehicle to ensure if performs correctly and safely.
Tyres: All tyres should be checked for any surface damage, uneven wear or bald spots, which could indicate the vehicle has worn shock absorbers. They should be inflated to the correct pressure for the intended use – so if the vehicle is expected to carry more weight, this may mean more pressure than normal is required. Over inflation of tyres could affect the braking and cause the tyre to wear prematurely. The tread should also be checked, to ensure it has at least the legal minimum depth requirement. Hot temperatures can also affect the tyre pressure, an increase of 10 degrees can mean a 0.1 bar (1.4 psi) change of pressure. Remember to also check your spare tyre, if you have one.
Suspension: Even with brand new tyres, a vehicle still needs to have properly functioning shock absorbers in order to maintain traction with the road. If you have noticed any one of these symptoms on your vehicle, it could be a sign that there is a problem with the suspension: Nose diving when braking suddenly, or the car pulling to one side on straight roads, feeling unstable when cornering, vibration in the steering wheel, the car veering when it’s in a side wind, wheels bouncing when driving over bumps, knocking or other noise coming from the wheel area. Any existing issues with the suspension will be exacerbated by a long drive, especially with additional weight in the vehicle.
As part of the summer vehicle preparation, take your vehicle to a workshop for some more detailed checks. The technician will be focusing on these points: Shock absorbers need a visual inspection to ensure there is no damage to either the piston rod, the body or the mounting brackets; and look for obvious oil leakage. If the shocks have driven more than 80,000km, they should be replaced, as an axle pair, to restore the vehicle’s performance to how the manufacturer intended. Coil springs should be checked for cracks and breaks. Ball joints and bearings should be checked to ensure the rubber hasn’t perished, and that there no excessive movement.
Liquids: Ensure that your washer fluid is filled up and that all your windows are clean inside and out. Check and top up your engine coolant to ensure your engine can run at the correct temperature. To ensure your engine can run smoothly and not incur any damage, check and top up your oil, which will also help reduce the chance of overheating in traffic. Vehicles can use more fuel in heavy traffic and using the start/stop function, therefore ensure your tank is topped up before you set off on a long journey. It could also be a good idea to have your air conditioning refrigerant checked.
Towing: If a vehicle is towing a caravan or trailer, it is subjected to additional demands. Don’t exceed the manufacturer’s maximum approved load, plus the weight on the ball hitch should be as defined by the towbar manufacturer. Reduce your driving speed to the legal limit for the weight of your load. KYB also offers a range of heavy duty coil springs that can greatly increase the towing ability of your vehicle for the duration of the trip, supporting the additional weight. Speak to your local workshop to find out more.
Other: If it is not already mandatory in your country, it would be a good idea to carry an emergency kit (first aid, torch, warning triangle, high-vis jacket). Wiper blades work hard during the winter months, so it would be a good idea to replace these in the summer. Check that all your lights are working properly.
These suggestions for vehicle checks can all contribute towards safe and enjoyable driving on long journeys, or when towing.