Getting Holiday Ready: Your Car’s Pre Trip Checklist

7th Aug 2025

Getting Holiday Ready: Your Car’s Pre-Trip Checklist

A long car journey can be as challenging for your vehicle as it is for your nerves. Before you hit the road, remember that added weight, high speeds, warm weather, and steep descents can all put extra stress on your car’s systems. Follow this pre?trip checklist to help ensure a smooth, safe drive:

1. Pre?Drive Safety Check

Adjust your tyre pressure to account for the total loaded weight. This supports safer handling, fuel efficiency, and tyre longevity. Refer to your owner’s manual or details inside the fuel flap or door pillar for guidance.
Avoid overloading — stick to the limits listed in your vehicle documentation.
Verify the condition of critical emergency items like the jack, toolkit, warning triangle, and first aid kit, replacing anything that’s missing or expired.
Ensure your windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, and engine oil are topped up.

2. Smart Packing for Safety

Store heavy items low and closest to the rear seat backrest.
Don’t stack luggage higher than the backrests—especially if there’s no partition.
Pack items tightly and use non?slip mats or secure them properly.
Keep your driver’s visibility clear, and have your first aid kit and warning triangle easily accessible.

3. Roof & Rear Rack Safety

Never exceed either your car’s maximum roof load or rack load limit.
Only carry lightweight luggage on the roof.
Remember that extra weight can affect your vehicle’s centre of gravity and handling.
If using a rear rack that obscures your lights, ensure it has its own lighting.
During your journey, regularly check that external loads are still secure.

4. Towing a Caravan: What You Need to Know

Secure all items with straps or non?slip mats, and place heavy ones centrally over the axle.
Expect longer braking distances and less acceleration—drive cautiously.
If the caravan starts to swerve, lift off the accelerator gently and steer to keep both vehicle and caravan steady.

5. When Is the Best Time to Start Your Journey?

Your own alertness beats current traffic conditions when choosing a start time.
Most people are most alert: between 8?am–12?pm and 4?pm–7?pm.
Dips in concentration typically occur between 2?pm–4?pm and after midnight.
It’s wise to start early and plan a long break around 2?pm.

6. Final Pre?Departure Review

It’s easy to forget important steps in the holiday rush. Before setting off, review your pre?trip checklist one last time to ensure nothing’s overlooked.