However, your best planning will be undone if you can’t depend on your car this festive season. A breakdown on your daily commute is one thing, but what if your car leaves you stranded miles outside the middle of nowhere? We know how the road to Cape Town is deserted. Car care is necessary year-round, but especially before a road trip, so complete these basic maintenance tasks as listed by Mark Dommisse, National Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association, before becoming a horror movie cliché.

Brakes

Brakes are crucial to any journey, and not only the long ones associated with holiday travel. Brake pads should be inspected by a qualified technician, but any squealing or scraping sounds are a dead giveaway that replacement is probably necessary. Vibrations in your pedal under braking are a sign of warped discs, which will either need skimming or replacement.

Tyres

Make certain that you have the necessary tyre-changing equipment such as wheel spanners and jack. If your vehicle requires a key to unlock the wheel nuts, make sure that you have it with you before you leave.

Tyre tread depth is an easy inspection that can be performed by anyone. The legal tread depth is a minimum of 1.6mm in South Africa, but NADA recommends a safe tread depth of 5mm. A general rule of thumb is if you insert a R5 coin the tread should be at least as deep as the tip of the wildebeest’s tail.

Remember to measure across the entire width of the tyre, as the outer tread may be deeper than the inner. Any uneven tread wear could indicate poor wheel alignment which should also be addressed by a professional.

Check tyre pressures and adjust for heavy loads – but never to more than recommended manufacturer specifications which are usually found inside the filler flap door or on a sticker inside one of the front door jams. It’s also a good idea to check your spare wheel’s pressure and tread while you’re at it.

Lights

One of the most important (and cheapest to repair!) items in your pre-travel checklist should be your car’s lighting system. Have a friend or family member help ensure that all lights including headlights, taillights, brake lights and indicators work properly. Replacement globes on many vehicles can cost less than R10 so there’s no excuse to drive around with faulty lighting.

Also remember, headlights are not only for you to see at night; they’re also there to let other road users see you. Driving with headlights on at all times of day is a common practice overseas, and it should be adopted in South Africa as well.

Battery

Have your battery checked by an authorised dealer. This is a simple test, and while battery replacement can be relatively pricey, so could the cost of a tow truck needed to come to the rescue of stranded motorists.

Wipers

Your windshield wipers should clear a clean path in their travel. Any streaks or smears means they likely need replacement. Driving in a storm with worn wiper blades is an extremely dangerous and unnecessary risk.

Fluids

Most modern cars make the inspection of fluid levels such as coolant, power steering and brake fluid quite easy for the average driver, but if you’re uncomfortable have them checked by your dealer.
It’s also important to replenish fluids with the correct type – another reason why it’s important to visit an authorised dealer. Don’t check coolant levels when an engine is hot, as pressurised cooling systems can cause serious burns.

Most new vehicles in-warranty come with a comprehensive roadside assistance programme, designed to help give drivers peace of mind. Keep the contact number in an easy-to-locate place in the vehicle and be sure to save it on your mobile phone as well.

Safe travels!

The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says every driver should develop their own strategy for safe and competent night driving. “This strategy should include a plan about how to ensure your physical safety, how to ensure there are no impairments to your vision and how to avoid a run in with dangerous drivers.”

While you can be hijacked anywhere anytime, statistics reveal that dawn, dusk and after dark are the highest risk periods. “Hijackings peak between 04:00 and 08:00 and again between 16:00 and 20:00. Drivers should put extra effort into anticipating traffic light changes and to their surroundings when arriving home. This, however, doesn’t justify disobeying road rules. No one is permitted to skip a red light, irrespective of who you are or the time of day.”

Additionally, be sure there are no impairments to your vision, especially as visibility is reduced. “This includes going for an annual eye test to ensure there are no problems that need rectification. Even with 20/20 vision, certain techniques can better equip you for night driving. The glare from lights on bright will blind anyone, yet, flashing the oncoming driver is not the safest reaction. Educate yourself on night driving to improve your skills.”

Another point in your night driving strategy should be the increased likelihood of encountering reckless drivers. “Nights are when you are the most likely to encounter drunk or fatigued drivers, those avoiding the law or drivers willing to take more risks.

“For this reason, you need to pay careful attention to your surroundings on the road. Never cross an intersection, even if it is your right of way, until you are 100% sure oncoming cars are stopping. If you spot someone driving erratically, get some space between them and yourselves. Never take risks yourself by driving recklessly.”

Driving at night is more complex than during the day. “All the daytime rules apply but the reduced visibility requires even more awareness and preparedness. MasterDrive has developed a night driving MasterClass that can help drivers prepare for the challenges they are likely to encounter and ensure they are proactive rather than reactive to these,” says Herbert.