How to ensure you reach your destination

FOR MANY South African drivers the summer holidays can involve the longest journeys of the year, and Afrikaans insurance brand Virseker is offering some helpful tips to ensure safe travels for December road trippers.

“Roads during the holidays are notoriously dangerous and extra precautions need to be taken,” says Virseker’s Elmarie Twilley. “It’s therefore essential to have a multicheck on your vehicle to identify potential hazards, and prevent additional damage before it happens, at least two weeks before you leave to go on holiday”.

Should you hear or feel any suspicious noises or vibrations coming from your engine, steering, transmission, wheels, brakes or any other system, it’s essential to have it evaluated by a qualified, reputable professional. It’s also wise to do some essential vehicle checks yourself ahead of any trips.

Here are some of the vital checks:

Lights and electrical system Ensure that all bulbs on your vehicle are in working order to ensure that you can see and be seen.

Make sure that headlamps are adjusted correctly – ensuring that light beams offer adequate viewing distance, but without being adjusted too far upwards, causing visibility problems for oncoming motorists.

Check instruments to make sure that they give correct readings of speed, and fluid level warnings.

Check controls and switches for lights, wipers, mirrors and demisters.

Windows and wipers Check to make sure that all windows are in a good condition and that any cracks or chips are repaired. A damaged windscreen not only reduces visibility, but also limits the windscreen’s ability to protect you in an accident. Make sure that wiper blades are performing well and making a clean sweep every time.

Wheels and tyres Ensure that all the wheels are securely tightened with all wheel nuts or bolts. Ensure that each tyre has adequate tread. The South African legal limit is 1mm, but anything below 3mm limits the tyre’s ability to function effectively.

Check to see if your vehicle’s tyres are wearing evenly. Uneven wear may indicate a worn steering or suspension component, an over or under inflated tyre, or bad wheel alignment.

Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel in good condition, and that you have the correct jack and other tools to remove a damaged wheel and tyre.

Brakes Check your vehicle’s brake fluid level and top it up if necessary. Check that the handbrake is working correctly. Ensure that all brake discs, drums and pads are in good condition; performing well and wearing evenly. Perform an emergency stop test in a safe place to make double sure. Any uneven wear, strange noises or vibrations from the braking system should be investigated and fixed.

Suspension Make sure that your vehicle’s shock absorbers and other suspension systems are keeping the tyres firmly on the ground. Battery Test your vehicle’s battery to make sure it’s delivering the correct output and, if necessary, the battery water is topped up. Have the alternator checked to make sure it’s charging the battery correctly. Belts and chains

Check to make sure that all belts and chains connected to the cam, alternator, fan and other components are in a good condition.

Broken belts and chains cause major engine damage. can