Checking your car before leaving on vacation is the sine qua non for a successful trip. No one wants to have to change their vacation plans because of a little negligence.

However, the process can be tricky if you don't have a clear idea of what to consider. This article provides an update on how to check your car before you leave on vacation.

Checking Fluid Levels

Before any long trip, it's a good idea to carefully inspect your car's hydraulic fluid levels. These are essential to the optimal functioning and maintenance of the car.

It should be noted that there are several types of hydraulic fluids. These include: engine oil, coolant, transmission oil, differential oil, brake oil and windscreen washer fluid.

For some of these fluids, the checking procedure is relatively simple. It is usually just a matter of looking at the visible indicators.

However, it can be complicated for engine oil and differential oil in particular. Certain precautions must be taken to ensure an effective check.

In addition, technical knowledge is required to accurately assess the level and quality of the fluids. For this reason, it may be a good idea to have the oil changed by a professional. The price of an oil change generally varies depending on the car model.

Checking your car before leaving on holiday: Overall condition

In addition to checking the oil change, you should also check the overall condition of your car before leaving on vacation. More specifically, you should inspect the condition of the equipment and the tyres.

Inspecting the equipment

Proper car equipment is the guarantee of a safe trip. In fact, this equipment is generally useful to ensure visibility in traffic or to help passengers in the event of a breakdown or accident.

On the other hand, not having this equipment in good condition constitutes a breach of the Highway Code. This is why it is essential to make sure you have the mandatory equipment in your car and to check their condition before leaving on holiday.

These include: warning triangle; yellow vest; breathalyser (not used); spare wheel.

This list is not exhaustive. The only mandatory equipment is the safety vest and the warning triangle. You can click here to learn more about the regulations concerning compulsory car equipment.

However, for a successful driving holiday, more thorough checks are required. For example, it is specifically recommended to check the lighting and signaling elements of your car.

In addition, components such as mirrors, windshield, windshield wipers and warning lights should be thoroughly inspected before departure. Make sure they are in good condition and have them replaced if necessary.

Finally, it may be worthwhile not to neglect the vehicle's gross vehicle weight (GVW). This figure, which is shown on the vehicle registration document, is an indicator of the weight that should not be exceeded.

Check the tyres

Before leaving on holiday, it is essential to check the maintenance of your car's tyres.

The first thing to check is the level of wear on your tires. To do this successfully, you should use wear indicators

Next, you need to look at the pressure of your tires. The idea is to ensure that they are in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions. However, it should be noted that, for an effective check, it is necessary to wait until the vehicle is cold.

Finally, it is necessary to check the condition of the spare wheel. It must be in perfect condition to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Checking your car before leaving on holiday is the safest way to have a safe and stress-free trip