When you’re travelling any long distance, whether it’s to the airport to go on holiday or to a staycation in the UK, there are several checks you should do on your car. These will ensure that your vehicle is ready for the journey and avoid any potential issues you could face during your journey. Ideally, you should do these checks a few days before travelling, so you have time to resolve any bigger issues. In addition, when you’re travelling to the airport, your car could be sitting for two weeks or more whilst you’re on holiday; we have some additional things you can do to prevent any issues when you return to your car after your vacation.
Windscreen
Take a good look at your windscreen for any chips or cracks. When driving on a motorway, a chip or crack can easily turn into a full windscreen replacement if a stone hits your windscreen. Many chips or minor cracks can be filled in with a special resin that stops the issue from getting worse. Some insurance companies cover windscreen repairs for free; others only require a minimal payment.
Wiper blades and washer fluid
You can’t predict the weather in the UK when you’re driving to the airport or home from the airport. You may experience sudden downpours of rain that can impact your visibility. Having a good pair of windscreen wiper blades is essential; otherwise, you might struggle to drive safely in the rain. Also, check your washer fluid; if your car is sitting for a week or more, it will develop a layer of dust that you will need to clean off when you come back from your holidays. If you don’t have any washer fluid, you will struggle to clean your windscreen, making it difficult to drive home safely.
Lights
You should also check your car lights before you head out on your journey to the airport. Ask a passenger to help you check your back and front lights are all working properly. Bulbs are cheap and quick to replace and could prevent you from being stopped by a police officer. Lights are also essential in the dark, especially if you’re travelling back late at night after a long flight. You need to ensure you have everything working on your car so you’re as safe as possible.
Car battery
One common problem people worry about when leaving their car for long periods of time is the battery. This can be concerning if you’re using a car park at Stansted airport or any other airport. You can get your battery professionally checked, or to save money; you can look for things like bulges or cracks in the battery casing and white or rust-coloured deposits on the connectors. If you see any of these things, you may need to get the battery checked before you go on holiday. You can also carry jump leads and a spare battery just in case in your car if you’re particularly concerned about the battery draining when you’re away on holiday. Only do this if you’re confident in changing the battery yourself and it’s safely contained. If you’re unsure, avoid keeping spare batteries in your vehicle as it could be a hazard.
Tyres
Make sure you check your tyre pressure before you leave for the airport. Your tyres may go down whilst you’re away on holiday, so having them inflated before you leave the vehicle is recommended. Many motorists also carry a tyre pump with them; when they return to their vehicle after an extended holiday, they can test the pressure again and pump up the tyres if necessary.
Breakdown cover
Breakdown cover can be very useful if you do have an issue at the airport that prevents your car from driving away. All motorists should invest in breakdown cover; it’s not too expensive and is worth the money if you have an issue. Make sure your breakdown cover is in date, and keep the number handy on your phone if you need to call them when you get back to your vehicle. Fingers crossed, if you follow these tips, you shouldn’t need to use your breakdown assistance.
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