Preparing for a long trip

• Check you have sufficient fuel, oil and radiator coolant.
• Check your tyres and spare are correctly inflated and your battery water level is correct.
• Clean your windscreen and check the windscreen wipers and washers are operating and cleaning correctly.
• Check that your fuel gauge and temperature gauge are operating correctly.
• Check that the spare wheel is secured and that you have a lifting jack and wheel brace. Make sure you have a tool to remove the hubcap or wheel trim.
• Check that all lights operate to regulations.
• Check radiator hoses for softening or cracking.
• Check the radiator for leaks.
• Check the fan belt to see if it is cracked or loose.
• Check all tyres to make sure they are free of nails and tears and that they have the correct tread depth (1.5mm minimum).
• Check to make sure the steering joints are not loose.
• Check that the engine mountings are not loose or contaminated with oil.
• Check that the exhaust system is not leaking or loose.
• Check if there are any oil leaks from the engine, gearbox and differential.
• Check if there are any fluid leaks from master cylinders, wheels, pipes and unions.
• Check if there is water in the fuel bowl or fuel filter.

If you find that any of the above issues are evident, ask your mechanic to to check and repair the fault.

While some motorists carry too many tools, others don't carry enough.

As a guide, you should consider the following list:

• Adjustable wrenches (large and small).
• Screwdrivers (straight blade, large and small).
• Screwdrivers (philip's head, set of three).
• Pliers.
• ooden jack base.
• Jack and pump.
• Tyre repair outfit, including valve key.
• Wheel brace and tyre levers.
• Engineer's hammer.
• Spark plug spanner.
• Ground sheet.
• Set of ring spanners or combined open-end and ring spanners of correct type for vehicle.

Make sure the jack suits the car, the wheel brace fits the wheel nuts and the spark plug spanner is able to remove all the spark plugs (spark plugs can be awkward to remove.)

On long trips, especially to remote areas, it is always advisable to carry spares.

Here's a guide to what you might need:

• Two spark plugs.
• Spare tyre.
• Fan belt, plus top and bottom radiator hoses.
• Tow rope.
• Trouble lamp and/or torch.
• Small shovel and axe.