A family road trip is always exciting, but it’s good to be mindful of the challenges that can often come with it.
Long-distance driving with kids is what can easily shift from an exciting adventure into a major test of patience. True peace of mind relies entirely on systematic preparation before you end up packing the car.
Whether you’re well-versed in family road trips or it’s your first time faced with this challenge, there are several things to check before going on a family road trip. Here are ten things to check before going on your next family adventure.
1. Engine Fluids: Oil, Coolant, and Screenwash
The heavier your car is when it’s fully loaded, the harder your engine has to work. Therefore, you want to make sure all of the relevant fluids are topped up and keep your vehicle well lubricated for the journey.
Before leaving, you should do these checks, parked on level ground. Inspect oil levels and top up the engine coolant reservoir as and when required.
It’s also a good time to fill up your screenwash to the brim to quickly clear away motorway dust, bugs, and grime. This isn’t something you want to run out of when you’re driving on the road.
2. Tyre Pressure and Tread Depth
Tyres are your only point of physical contact with the road, which can affect your handling and braking. Therefore, you want to check these over to make sure they’re appropriate for your upcoming trip, leaving enough time to get them fixed or replaced before you go.
Match cold tyre pressures with a TPMS to the recommended settings required for heavy loads, found within your manual.
You’ll also want to ensure the tread depth is safely above the legal limit and to also check the pressure of your spare tyre. By doing so, you’re protecting yourself fully and have a backup tyre available should the worst happen.
3. Brake Condition and Responsiveness
A heavy car will often take much longer to come to a complete and safe stop during emergencies. This is something you should also be mindful of when it comes to driving safely on the road, being aware that stopping distances change slightly.
Listen for any squealing or grinding noises, as well as feel for any sponginess when pressing the pedal. This can often indicate a problem with the brake conditions and, in some cases, may need urgent replacement.
You don’t want to compromise your braking ability, especially when you’re going on a trip that’s going to have you on the road for a long period of time.
It’s good to get your brakes checked by a mechanic ahead of time, especially if you’ve noticed a change in your braking recently. This can also be felt through the steering wheel with any unusual vibrations
4. Exterior Lights and Wiper Blades
It’s always imperative to maintain total visibility and clear communication when driving through bad weather or overnight. Testing all headlights, indicators, brake lights, full beams, hazards, and fog lights with a partner is handy to make sure everything works as it should.
Having someone to help can be useful to spot anything you might not be able to see for yourself when in the car.
Wiper blades are something you want to replace immediately if they’re leaving smears, streaks, or making loud squeaking noises. Having faulty wiper blades makes for unsafe driving, and that’s not something you want when it comes to a road trip or for any length of time in the car.
5. Battery Health and Charging System
Flat batteries are often a primary cause of unexpected roadside breakdowns at service stations. You should notice if the engine struggles or hesitates to crank when starting in the morning. That can be a clear indication that something is wrong, and you want to get it checked out as soon as possible.
Most local garages and car engineers will be able to test your battery health for free to ensure it can handle heavy device charging.
6. Breakdown Cover and Vital Documents
Being legally compliant and protected will help to keep an unexpected mishap from ruining your entire holiday budget.
It’s helpful to confirm your breakdown assistance policy is still active and to save their emergency number in your phone ahead of time. That will help in stressful situations where you have broken down, and your brain goes blank.
Verifying your vehicle insurance, making sure your MOT is up to date, and that you’ve paid your taxes, etc., will all help to avoid any problems when on the road.
7. In-Car Entertainment and Device Power
Boredom is the ultimate catalyst that comes with back-seat arguments and distraction for the driver. Therefore, for youngsters in general, you want to make sure they have everything they need to be entertained for the entirety of the journey.
Be sure to pre-download any films, podcasts, or music playlists while you’re connected to your home Wi-Fi. You should also look at packing multi-port USB adapters and extra cables, along with classic travel games, in order to reduce screen fatigue.
8. Cabin Comfort and Climate Control
Maintaining a comfortable temperature and environment will keep everyone in the interior cabin of the vehicle calm and content.
It’s well worth testing your air conditioning and your heating system a few days prior to your departure date. It’s good to keep travel pillows, lightweight blankets, and any rear window sun blinds easily accessible when inside the main cabin.
9. Smart Snacks and Hydration Packs
Keep your travel party satisfied when it comes to their hunger and thirst needs. Otherwise, they’re going to be highly irritable and restless. Prep a cooler bag with mess-free, low-sugar snacks like cheese sticks, rice cakes, and fruit.
You’ll want to look at giving each passenger their own leak-proof water bottle, keeping a dedicated rubbish bag within arm’s reach to keep the cabin clean and tidy.
10. Emergency Gear and First-Aid Kit
Finally, make sure you’ve got all the kit and gear required in emergencies. You should be fully equipped to handle minor medical issues or unexpected roadside delays.
You should pack plasters, motion sickness remedies, painkillers, and antiseptic wipes, as well as any essential family prescriptions.
Check Your Car Before Every Family Road Trip
Spending an hour or two running through this checklist helps transform your journey from a stressful one to a seamless one.
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