A long trip is a serious test for your car. Even a small problem such as a worn wiper, out-of-balance tire or improper alignment may turn your trip into a nightmare. Here, you can find simple tips on how to prepare your vehicle for a trip including an illustrated checklist. However, this checklist does not include many other important items such as brakes and suspension components that may only be inspected by a mechanic in a garage. Book an appointment well before your trip. Ask for one of those maintenance packages with an oil change, tire rotation and mechanical inspection. Don't leave it for a last moment, do it few days before your trip.

• Check owner's manual

• Engine oil

• Transmission fluid

• Engine coolant

• Battery

• Other items

• Tires

• Steering and suspension components

• CV-boots

• Lights and mirrors

• Spare tire, wheel wrench and the jack

• What worth to take in a long tr

Other Considerations

• 1. Keep tyres properly inflated. Car fuel mileage can improve by up to 3.5 percent by keeping tyres inflated to the proper pressure.

  2. Check your car regularly. Regular car maintenance improves fuel mileage by an average of 6 percent. For an average motorist doing 15,000 Km per year this can equate to approximately €150 in savings annually.

  3. Air filters should be replaced regularly. By replacing a clogged air filter car fuel mileage can be improved by as much as 10 percent.

  4. Replace oil regularly. Dirty or substandard oil reduces fuel economy. Improved economies of one mile per gallon (or roughly one kilometre per 3 litres) can be achieved.

  5. Regular spark plug changes avoid misfiring which wastes fuel accounting for as much as two miles per gallon (or 3km for every 5 litres of fuel).

  6. Observe the speed limit and use cruise control while on the motorway. Car fuel economy decreases rapidly above 100 Kilometres per hour. Not only will motorists save on their pocket but also on their lives.

  7. Plan your jouney and combine trips. Several brief journeys means starting each time on a cold start which can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose trip covering the same distance.

  8. Avoid excessive time stalled in traffic. Idling achieves a wasteful 0 miles per gallon! Plan your journey to avoid heavy traffic if possible, go inside instead of queing in long lines at the drive-through window of fast food outlets etc. Also, if allowing your car to warm up, allow one or two minutes.

  9. Watch your car load. Don’t travel with unneeded items. An extra 40 to 50 kilos in weight in your boot and back seat reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. Also unused roof rack and accessories add weight and drag.

  10. Watch frequent stop and starts. Driving aggressively will lower car fuel economy by up to one third on the motorway and 5 percent in the city.

  11. In older cars minor items can affect your fuel efficiency. A loose or damaged car fuel cap which is not air tight can lead to fuel vaporising. It is estimated that 5% of cars have fuel caps which are not air tight causing an estimated 2 to 3 million litres of car fuel to vapourise each year.