Have you been looking forward to that long-awaited holiday? We all love leaving the office behind and heading somewhere a lot more peaceful and relaxing, but the last thing any of us want is issues with our car and becoming stranded in the middle of nowhere.
If you’re planning a driving holiday soon, ensuring your car is holiday ready is important – after all, you want to reach your destination safely!
Book Your Car in for a Service
If it’s been awhile since your car has had a service, or it is due for you and you’ve just been putting it off, now is the time to get it done. When preparing for a driving holiday it is best to have a full service done, even if your car isn’t due. Often this will involve an oil and oil filter change, air conditioning checks, checks of the electronics, and topping up all fluids in the car. Your mechanic should also do a visual check on your car.
Have Window Chips and Scratches Repaired
One thing you really don’t want to have to deal with when on holidays is a cracked or shattered windscreen. As windscreen repairers we’ve seen far too often what happens when people don’t repair their windscreen quick enough. Even if the crack or chip is only small, have it repaired or your windscreen replaced. It is far too easy for a rock to come flying at your windscreen, potentially leaving you sitting on the side of the highway with a shattered windscreen.
Ensure the Essentials are Working
Even after having your car serviced, you should check the essentials yourself. Make sure your windows are working, ensure the air con is pushing out air at the right temperature, test the radio and CD or Bluetooth to make sure you’ll have something to sing along to. You’ll also want to make sure a phone hooks through your car Bluetooth correctly if you have it. This then allows you to safely make or take calls without needing to pick up your phone.
This is a great time to also check any baby car seats and roof racks are correctly attached.
Tyre Check
Tyres play a major role in any successful road trip. A couple of days before your head off on your holiday road trip, make sure the tyres are fully inflated and have plenty of tread. If something seems off, get a wheel alignment done or take your car to a tyre expert so that they can check for any issues. If there is any cause for concern, it may be best to have your tyres replaced for safety.
Also check your spare is inflated and has tread and that you have everything you need to change a tyre on the side of the road should the need arise. If you are doing a long road trip, it may be wise to consider having a second spare tyre in the car.
Drive Safe
Apart from having your car serviced and checked over, you will need to make sure you’re ready to take the drive; and it’s not just as easy as getting a coffee at the next stop! As most long drives are met with fatigue, there are plenty of things you can do to help you arrive safely. Two of the best things you can do on a driving holiday is:
- Stop every 2 hours to allow your body to take a break
- Make sure you have enough water to help your mind stay alert
Other steps you can take to combat fatigue on your drive include:
- Taking short walks when stopping for a break to stretch your legs and clear your mind
- Stop when you are feeling tired – there’s no use pushing through to the next roadside stop
- Share the driving with your partner.
- If travelling on your own, you may like to consider travelling shorter distances at a time; this may mean your two-day trip takes three days, but you are more likely to end up arriving safe if you take your time.
Best Snacks for a Road Trip
We thought we’d throw in a list of some of our favourite snacks for a road trip, as well as some we’ve found that help keep us focused on the road.
- Beef jerky from your local butcher or specialty store (trust us, you’ll notice the difference from service station jerky)
- Cheese
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Easy to eat sandwiches – simply pop on your favourite spread
- Protein balls and bars
- Popcorn
Healthy options are always best but we don’t blame you for popping some chocolate in the car to help break up those long drives.
If you need help getting your car ready for your next road trip, speak to the team at Autoscreens. We can help you with all your windscreen repairs and replacements, ensuring your car is safe to drive. An undamaged windscreen is essential if you’re planning a road trip. Come and see the team today.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
