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SUMMER IS HERE and adventure awaits, especially for those of you who are planning a road trip getaway.
No doubt you have nailed down the most important aspects of your road trip – the route, the picnic stops and the playlist – but have you considered if your vehicle of choice is road trip ready?
Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country European journey or staying a bit more local, here are some tips for preparing your vehicle for the road, assuming it’s roadworthy to begin with, of course…
1. Check the fluid levels
Cars, just like humans, get thirsty in hot weather. Fluid evaporates quicker in heat, so you need to make sure that the oil, radiator, brake, transmission and power steering fluids are all topped up to the correct levels.
Same goes for washer fluid: make sure it is topped up with a decent screen wash as this will help degrease and clear bugs from your windscreen.
2. Prime your tyres for a fully loaded car
Tyres are paramount to safety, comfort and fuel efficiency so it is important that they are not only in good condition but at the correct pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
You need to take into account if your car is going to be fully loaded with passengers and luggage and adjust the tyre pressure accordingly. All of this info should be in the car’s manual or online or on the driver’s side door jamb. You should check the tyre pressure every 1,600km or thereabouts.
3. Change your air filters
Air filters prevent dust, debris and bugs from entering the engine or interior but over time these filters can become clogged which can potentially affect engine performance, fuel economy and the air quality in the cabin.
It is recommended that you replace the air filters in your car about every 20,000km or once a year. Changing the air filter is also a great idea if you or your passengers suffer from hay fever, as closing the air vents will reduce the amount of pollen getting into the cabin.
4. Ensure you have a breakdown kit to hand
When you are packing the car with all your summer essentials, pack an extra bag for the car. Throw in some jump leads, an extra bottle of water, a torch, high-vis vest, emergency triangle, some spare bulbs and a small first aid kit.
This should be enough to cover you for any small emergencies you may have during your road trip.
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How right joan burton is. Guaranteed to save millions if she goes ahead with this idea. Too many people choosing to scrounge off others. On the other hand, it is awful the amount of people that are genuinely out of work. They deserve every cent they get.
Well done to you and all the people who agree with you you’re idiots. When there was full employment in this country we were running at 3% unemployment, of those only a small proportion of people were long term unemployed. To tar the 14.7% who are currently in such difficulty is to display a level of ignorance all too common on this isle of ours. Instead of being castigated by morons as scroungers, people unfortunate enough to be unemployed should be supported and encouraged, that is essentially what any research into the matter has shown, the stereotype of someone chosing unemployment as a lifestyle choice is not supported by any evidence whatsoever and is simply a sign of ignorance on the part of anyone who blows this nonsense out of their mouths, as careless and thoughtlessly as shite comes out of a cow’s arse.
William, regardless of who is right or wrong, you might want to watch your language… you’re not going to win an argument this way
William- Firstly I dont like the way you refer to me and those who like this comment as idiots,everyone is entitled to an educated opinion & yours is appreciated once you have a valid point to make.With reference to the 14.7% who are in difficulty at the moment, it is the thoughts of myself & im sure many individuals that they well deserve to receive their social welfare as they cant find a job in this economic crisis, but to say that they have been offered a job and turned it down is another story their payments definitely should be cut. With reference to scroungers- Do you feel confident knowing those who work hard and pay their high taxes from their pay packet are paying others weekly s.w. payments so they may maintain a standard of living beyond that of which a traditional worker may have once all the bills are paid!? Our taxes are no longer being used to improve our health services, roads, create new employment etc, it is being returned to many individuals who have refused work from the day they were born. I am not criticising people who have unfortunately lost their jobs due to this economic crisis- plenty of them dont want to be on social welfare & would gladly take a job if they got one.
Or ‘receive no money’ even. Why should we foot the bill for anyone that’s too lazy to work for living?
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