There are various checks you should make before a long journey – some are advisable for any car and others are specific to EVs.
This article takes a look at both. There are the steps you need to take no matter what vehicle you drive, including visual checks, tyre checks, light, brakes and fluid checks, as well as checking the electrics and that you have any kits needed on board for long journeys. Then there are the electric vehicle checks that are specifically recommended for electric vehicles. These mostly revolve around the battery and charging. Read on to find out more…
Visual inspection
Firstly, check the exterior of the vehicle to make sure there are no chips or cracks in any of the glass including the front and rear windscreen, particularly if they’re larger than 10mm in the 290mm area directly in front of the driver, and over 40mm anywhere else on the windscreen. These would be large enough for the car to fail its MOT and must be repaired promptly. Any chip to the glass on your vehicle can increase and travel across your windscreen so get it repaired as soon as possible while it’s still small before it turns into a potential hazard. Also be sure to check wing mirrors are undamaged and clear of marks and smudges that might impair driving.
Tyres
There are 3 different elements that you should check when it comes to checking your tyres:
- Their appearance
- Their tread
- Their pressure
Checking their appearance involves making sure they’re free of cracks and bulges. If tyres are old or have been exposed to a lot of sunlight they’re more likely to crack. Bulges can occur on tyres that are frequently driven over potholes or knocked on curbs. Get cracks and bulges looked at professionally before setting off on a long journey.
You’ll also need to check the tyre tread and depth. The tread should be 1.6 mm or more around the entire circumference of the tyre. If you put a 20p stood up in the groove, you shouldn’t be able to see the outer edge of the coin. The tyre tread depth is a legal requirement regardless what distance you’re driving so as soon as the depth nears 1.6 mm, you should be aware of getting the tyre changed.
The final aspect of the tyres you’ll need to check is their pressure using a tyre pressure gauge. Correct tyre pressure not only helps keep you safe but improves your fuel economy .You should be able to find the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle in the vehicle handbook or on the manufacturer’s website. Some models also have this information on the inside of one of the front doors. If you carry a spare tyre, make sure its pressure is at the recommended level too in case you need to use it.
Underinflated tyres are at higher risk of damage and wear and if you have an electric car can even reduce your car’s range.
Wipers and screenwash
When checking any levels under the bonnet you should ensure the engine is cool to avoid accidentally injuring yourself and that your vehicle is on a flat surface so that you get an accurate level. Before travelling, particularly on long journeys, check under the bonnet that the levels of your screenwash are sufficiently topped up for a long drive by looking at the level in the container. If you’re travelling a substantial distance then the weather over the course of your journey could well change and even if you don’t need to clear your screen when you set off you may need to later. Also check the rubber on your wipers is free of damage and that all wipers are in full working order.
Oil levels
To check the oil level, pull out the dipstick (usually found by the bright yellow ring pull near the engine). To get an accurate reading of the level, firstly, wipe off any oil on a rag before returning the dipstick to the tank. The level of oil should reach between the dipstick minimum and maximum. If you need to top up the oil then there should be a separate cap where you fill up the oil rather than the narrow gap where you’ve removed the dipstick. Different vehicles need different types of oil so make sure you check the manufacturer guidelines before filling it up.
Engine coolant
Engine coolant, otherwise known as antifreeze, is essential no matter the weather. It protects your engine from extremely cold temperatures and its high boiling point prevents it from overheating by removing excess heat from the engine. Ensure the level of fluid is between the minimum and maximum lines by checking it visually. If you need to top up, consult your vehicle handbook for the type of coolant to use.
Lights
Make sure all of your lights are working before setting off on a long journey. Often there’s a warning light on your dashboard to flag up that a light needs replacing. However, this isn’t always the case. You’ll need to check your headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and indicators.
The easiest way to check lights is in the company of another person, as you can apply lights and ask them to check from outside the vehicle that they’re all working. If you’re on your own, then you can check your headlights by facing a reflective surface and turning them on. You can then check the brake lights and rear lights by reversing up to this surface and applying them then looking in your rear-view mirror to check they’re all on. To check indicators, apply your hazard lights and then walk around the vehicle to look at them all.
Brakes
Firstly, press down on the brake pedal before starting the engine. It should feel spongy and not slack. Secondly, test the brakes when your engine’s running. Apply them firmly when driving where you can safely do so and if they’re functioning correctly you should stop promptly, without the vehicle pulling to one side.
Fuel
When you’re embarking on a long journey, fill the tank up before you go, to minimise the chance of getting stuck without fuel or having to resort to refuelling at expensive motorway fuel stations. With shorter journeys and driving in general it’s advised you only fill up your tank with as much fuel as you need to help minimise weight in the tank and give you better fuel economy.
Electrics
The 3 most important systems to check are electronic windows, air conditioning and power steering. Testing all the windows are opening and closing correctly is easy. If you rely on child locks on the rear doors and windows then check these too. The air conditioning, or heating in winter, ensure driver and passenger comfort on long journeys so check they’re working correctly too before setting of. To check the power steering, apply gentle pressure to the steering wheel and maintain this pressure when you start the engine. You should feel a slight but noticeable movement as the power steering kicks in.
Driving mode
Some vehicles have different driving modes suited to particular journeys and roads so you might find it best to select an ‘eco’ mode to help you get better fuel economy and ensure a comfortable suspension on a long journey, or set a more personalised mode with adjustments to individual driving elements.
Vehicle supplies
Ensure you carry a spare wheel or tyre inflation kit in order to get you back on the road as quickly as possible if you sustain a flat tyre. If you have a spare wheel then also ensure your jack and locking nut are in the vehicle so that you can change the wheel if needed.
A first aid kit, warning triangle and jump leads can help if you end up in an emergency situation. Also pack a few bottles of water and some snacks in case you end up on a roadside waiting for assistance.
Driving an electric vehicle?
The other considerations you’ll need to take into account if you’re driving an EV are primarly based around the battery and charging.
EV battery
Ensure that your electric car has enough charge for the journey ahead. Most modern EVs allow you to schedule charging the battery ready for departure, even allowing you to remotely charge as long as the car’s plugged in. Setting it to finish at around 80% maximises your battery’s life or to 100% to minimise downtime later in the journey.
EV charging cables
Always bring your charging cables with you and ensure they’re packed away in an easy to reach location within the vehicle before you go incase your route or final destination doesn’t have many rapid chargers nearby.
Charging stops and cards
Take a look in advance at charging points along the journey. Make sure you bring charging cards for several charging point brands that are on your route and download all the necessary apps so you have access to a variety, with easy payment.
To find out about the other things you need to think about as an electric car salary sacrifice driver, read our specific guide here which tells you more about your general responsiblilities.
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