6 tips for drivers getting away in the car this Easter

1. Check your oil

Before any long journey, it is recommended that you check your dipstick to make sure there is adequate oil in the engine. Your dipstick will be marked in two places to indicate the minimum and maximum oil levels. Don’t let your engine oil level drop below the minimum mark; if your oil level drops too low it could do irreparable damage to your engine as the oil is needed to lubricate moving parts and prevent seizing so it’s best to check your oil regularly. Also note the colour of the oil when you look at your dipstick. Good quality, fresh oil is light brown in colour. If the oil looks thick and black it may be time for an oil change.

Book your oil change online

2. Check your tyres

Nearly a quarter of all breakdowns attended by Highways England traffic officers are caused by tyre problems. In most cases these incidents could have been avoided with a few simple checks before setting off. TyreSafe, the UK road safety charity, urges drivers to remember the acronym ACT and check Air, Condition and Tread when inspecting your tyres. The air pressure should be as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer – underinflated and overinflated tyres can be equally dangerous and wear tyres unevenly. Condition should be checked for damage such as cuts, bulges and foreign objects embedded in the tyre. Tread should be checked to ensure at least 1.6mm of tread remains around the entire circumference of the tyre in order to be road legal.

3. Check your child seats are fit for use

Getting the whole family to their destination safely this Easter is of the utmost importance but did you know that the law regarding the use of child booster seats changed earlier this year? As of 27th February 2017, backless booster seats (or booster cushions) are only approved for use by children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg. This only applies to new products so if you previously owned a backless booster, you don’t need to rush out and buy a new one, but it is recommended by experts who believe backless booster are not as safe and offer no head or side impact protection. Parents buying a booster seat on or after 27th February need to make sure it is fit for purpose for their child’s, age, size and weight otherwise they could face a £500 fine.

4. Fill up your washer bottle

The last thing you need when you get onto the motorway this Easter is to find that you’re all out of washer fluid. Muck, dirt and dead bugs can build up quickly at speed and warm, dry conditions only help to create a caked on film of grime across the entire windscreen that can make visibility a struggle. A quick blast of washer fluid can make all the difference so remember to fill up beforehand. You can make washer fluid go further during the summer months as a lower concentration is required due to the low risk of freezing temperatures. Most screenwash contains an anti-smear agent to give you a clean and clear windscreen.  That said, also make sure you…

5. Check the condition of your wipers

Washer fluid isn’t much use without good working wipers. When it comes to shifting dry dirt, washers and wipers are pretty much symbiotic. Wiper blades are made of rubber and they split and perish easily so it’s a good idea to check them regularly to make sure the blades are in decent condition and effectively disperse water and grime from the windscreen. Even if your wipers are in ok condition, you may find they are not working very effectively after the winter months and leave smears on the windscreen. Here’s a little tip, you can clean the blades by wiping them with a cloth soaked in malt vinegar. The vinegar effectively removes dirt on the wiper blade edge and leaves your windscreen with a streak free shine!

Windscreen wipers from Kwik Fit

6. Don't leave the eggs in the car!

The weather seems to be picking up nicely with temperatures reaching the giddy heights of 25 degrees in some areas in the week before Easter. If this continues, spare a thought for any chocolate eggs you may be taking with you on your travels this Easter. Needless to say, they don’t fare well in the heat so don’t leave them too long in the car. If on an unavoidably long journey, consider taking a cooler and packing them in alongside some cold drinks to ensure they don’t melt and there’s still plenty of eggy goodness to enjoy when you arrive. Happy Easter!

Kwik Fit Easter opening times

Kwik Fit will be open and helping drivers throughout the Easter period so if you have any issues or concerns before you set off on your trip, pop in to your local centre. Outside of the times below, normal trading hours apply.

Local variations may apply. Freephone your local centre on 0800 222 111 to check specific opening times.