Wine gums and washer fluid: How to prepare for the half-term road trip

Like the Wildebeest and their great traversing of the Serengeti, British families love to undertake a great annual migration, jumping in their cars at the start of the October half-term and moving en masse from one part of the country to another. The spectacle might attract fewer tourists – the southbound M3 not having quite the same draw as the Tanzanian savannah – but the number of participants involved is not dissimilar and although there is less chance of being attacked by a crocodile, the journey is not without its stresses and strains. Which means planning is key. Before you head off on your half-term road trip be sure to get yourself and your vehicle prepared for the journey to come.

First up, you need to have a good look at your tyres to make sure that this summer’s particularly hot weather hasn’t caused any cracking or bulging. Next, you need to check the tread of your tyres. Brilliantly, a 20p piece stands in effortlessly for an official tread depth indicator: if you place the coin in the tread groove and you can see the outer edge of the coin, then it’s time to the get the tyre replaced. And it’s crucial, too, that you check your tyre pressure regularly (Kwik Fit suggest every few weeks) – underinflated tyres don’t only age quicker, they’re also a major cause of blowouts which can be fatal at high speed. Your vehicle handbook should include your car’s optimum tyre pressure but you can also use Kwik Fit’s handy online pressure checker. You need to check all four tyres on the wheels and also the spare in the boot, which can lose pressure even when it is not in use. If you’re unsure about any of this, book a free no-obligation tyre check at your local Kwik Fit centre. Kwik Fit are the UK’s largest tyre retailer, with over 50 years of experience and they have more than 600 centres across the UK, most of which are open 7 days a week.

Before you head off on a big journey it’s also crucial that you check all your fluid levels. Oil is essential to the smooth-running of your engine and it’s easy to check: locate your car’s dipstick (often identified by a yellow/orange ring pull under the bonnet) and make sure that your oil is between the minimum and maximum levels. Don’t forget to check the levels of your screenwash, which cuts through the grime that builds up on your windscreen, guaranteeing you a clear view of the road ahead. And don’t be thinking that coolant levels only matter in the depths of winter; its high boiling point is crucial in removing excess heat from the engine.

By all means pack a load of dried banana slices and sprouted alfalfa cakes but know that, should you find yourself in a twenty-mile tailback on the A1 with the next services at best an hour away, then you’re going to wish with every fibre of your being that you had packed a large bag of wine gums, which may not be particularly nutritious but should at least get you at least to South Mimms.

There is nothing more wholesome than a game of ‘car cricket’ to keep the family spirits up on a long journey. The rules vary wildly from family to family but broadly speaking it’s all about the cars coming in the other direction, with white, silver and grey cars getting the designated ‘batter’ a single run, motorbikes a four, buses a six, and red cars getting you out. It works better on country lanes than it does motorways but either way it tends to move faster than actual cricket (and can be far more competitive). If yours is the kind of family where wholesome games can be stretched to no more than ten minutes, be sure you’ve charged the iPads.

Cars have small-scale disco’s-worth of lights and, with the nights drawing in, it is important to check they are all working as expected: car headlights, brake lights, reverse light, indicators, and the internal cabin light. In some instances changing the bulb is a simple process, in others it can be harder than doing a mystery challenge on The Crystal Maze. If you’re struggling, head to Kwik Fit where they stock high performance bulbs and their trained technicians can fit them for you.

With over 600 centres UK-wide, Kwik Fit are committed to helping keep your car running smoothly and safely for journeys big and small. If you think your vehicle might need a little extra TLC this half-term, pop into your local Kwik Fit for their free vehicle safety check –click here to find out more.