The basics to look at include:

• Battery Test
• Wheel balancing, alignment and checking the traction on your tyres 
• Topping up the nitrogen and more…

Paige Lindenberg with Kevin Campbell, Sales Manager at Tiger Wheel & Tyre Sandton

Here is a check list I recommend you use to prepare and to stay safe on the road: 

Lift the bonnet 

Keep in mind that every car is different and that you should give attention to the way your car is set-up and works. Look at the following:   

1. 1. Check the battery:  Take your car in store to double check the levels and how much battery life it still has left. If your battery is new, don’t worry about it, however it is always better to be certain, because it is not worth going with a half-full battery and being stranded while on a holiday.

   2. Check oils, fluids and water: 

      1. Windscreen wiper fluid is easy to forget about, but you will need it to clean your windscreen to ensure good visibility and clear viewing.

      2. It is quick to have the oil checked and newer cars will give you clarity regarding the oil levels. Know where to check your oil, what oil to use and if you’re taking the unbeaten track, rather have an extra can ready in case needed. 

      3. Water is so important for the functioning of your car and you need to know how to check the levels and how to refill it. Remember that if your car has been running hot or overheated, you have to be extra careful and wait for it to cool down before refilling. 

Windscreen and windscreen wipers

Make sure that your windscreen wiper blades are new and that there’s no issues with them, because they really can cause a lot of scratches on your windscreen and that’s unnecessary.

Ensure any stone chips you have in your windscreen are filled before you go on holiday. Tiger Wheel & Tyre can fill the holes for you. This can avoid any cracks or any chips spreading in the heat or on the road with extra road rash.

Let’s see what’s in the boot

1. Spare tyre or run flat tyre
   1. So a few essentials that come with your car should be either a spare tyre or if you have run flats, you will get a little machine that will help you if you have a flat tyre. If you have a spare tyre, remember to have it pumped and checked before leaving on your road trip.
2. Tools
   1. Make sure you have all the right tools in order to change a tyre if you don’t have run-flats.  The triangle is super important to ensure people are warned that you are busy changing your tyre and to alert other drivers of any emergencies. 

Some personal preferences and useful tips

So a few fun things that I personally keep in my car  include the following: 

• So I always have a cap with me
• A little handbag to use if I don’t want to carry a big bag if I’m quickly running into the shops
• Another essential is a medical kit
• A phone strap to be hands free and use your phone to pay instead of carrying your purse

ALSO READ: 5 Practical Tips on Battery and Car Maintenance for Women

• As a lady in the automotive space, I’ve always got some tools with me like cable ties and side cutters.
• One of the most important things that I swear by is a battery pack. So this battery pack is literally a jump starter for your car and could be a life saver, because if you ever get stuck, you can get the battery going without waiting for someone else to stop and offer to help. And on top of that, it can charge your phone, your laptop, anything you need. So as a woman, I think this is one of the most essential things to keep with you in your car at all times. Just make sure it’s charged!
• A pair of comfy shoes. You know, as girls, we sometimes wear uncomfortable shoes and want to change. 
• A mini compressor if you are planning some off roading or you’re going to inflate and deflate your car’s tyres on your trip.
• I always carry a little snack with me, my shopping bags and an umbrella.

So just a few essentials that I think are important and that make my life easier on a daily basis.

Check each tyre!

One of the most important things you need to focus on when it comes to your car is your tyres. I cannot emphasize this enough. Your tyres are the only contact your car has with the road. So please take your car in and make sure you check absolutely everything including:

• Bubbles
• The tread
• Any wear and tear
• Balancing
• Wheel alignment
• Check your rims, because sometimes if you got a buckle in your rims, it can also cause your tyre to go flat

Tyres are often a grudge purchase, but they are the most important part of your car. So please check your tyres and make sure you and your family stay safe on the road this season.

Inside the car 

So a few essentials you will always see with me in my car is a coffee cup. I love my coffee and I’m always on the road a lot, so I always have my coffee mug with me. Water is a must have.  A few little girly fun things like a hair tie, a cable to charge my phone, some chewing gum, hand cream and Lip Ice. 

Something that can make a big difference when your windscreen get’s chipped by something, is  stickers from PG Glass to just cover a chip so that you can repair it quickly.

Other basics include tissues, wet wipes and a little rubbish bag. 

Two last important points:

• Make sure your key battery is okay and that there’s no issues with it. Go get it checked or changed before you hit the road, and make sure you know how to manually use a key.
• The most important thing that we can’t go without is to ALWAYS wear your seatbelt. Front, back, wherever you sit. Let’s teach all children the importance and how to wear their seatbelts safely. 

See you on the road – Be Safe! 

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