Motorists – avoid holiday havoc this summer!
Stress and anxiety on the rise? It can only mean school’s out and the UK holiday season is here again! But with ‘austerity’ ringing in everyone’s ears many UK holidaymakers will be taking a ‘staycation’ on home shores this year rather than heading to overseas hotspots. So why add to your holiday stresses by not ensuring your car is in tip top condition before hitting the UK’s roads this summer? YOU can avoid potential holiday havoc by making a few simple checks before you head off on your hols.
What can I do?
Yes, it’s time to think about taking that well-earned summer break and double and triple check you’ve got everything packed and in order. Your car’s no different so now’s the time to be making the simple checks that could help prevent the wheels coming off your holiday before it gets started.
- Oil & Fluids – check, top up and change oil and coolant if needed to ensure a smooth running car and prevent engines overheating. Power steering and brake fluid are other particular areas to look at.
- Tyres – look after your tyres and they will look after you. Ensure correct pressure to cope with increased weight of luggage and passengers. Check treads are legal to keep a firm grip on the road – they are the link between you and the road!
- Rubber compounds – they can take a hammering so summer is a great time to check and see if components like wiper blades need replacing.
- Brakes – listen for excessive noises from brakes and have the discs and pads checked for excessive wear. Drivers can get used to driving with worn brakes without realising the danger. It’s essential to check them regularly.
- Air conditioning – check for a bad smell such as a dirty sock smell that may indicate harmful mould and bacteria in the air conditioning ducts which can cause flu-like symptoms.
Still unsure about what to do?
Proper preparation will give you the peace of mind that your car is in the best possible condition before you head off on your ‘staycation’.
Following a recent Good Garage Scheme poll of over 7oo motorists, it was revealed that 60% of drivers do not check their cars before going on holiday. To enable drivers to have their cars checked before their holiday starts, the 3,000-strong member organisation has launched a comprehensive 21-point Holiday Check.
The 21-point Holiday Check includes:
- Air conditioning operation and cabin comfort
- Fluid levels
- Lights and wipers
- Tyres and exhaust
So what do I do?
Look for your nearest UK-wide Good Garage Scheme member at www.goodgaragescheme.com and type in your postcode to find your nearest member garage. A self-regulatory body for independent workshops and MOT centres, the Good Garage Scheme ensures the best industry standards are maintained by its members. It has more than 3,000 members who adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and offer an Industry Standard Service.
The Good Garage Scheme
‘It’s like having a friend in the know’
Gary Lillistone, Bridge PR on tel: 024 76 520025, email:garyl@bridgepr.co.uk
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