With the festive season already in full-swing and families getting ready to go on their annual vacations, there are a few steps that can be taken to make sure that the holiday goes down as smoothly as possible.
We have a couple of things you can do to ensure a smooth holiday.
- Have your vehicle inspected. Having the peace of mind that your vehicle is both road-legal and road-ready, will relief you of many possible sleepless nights, lying awake, stressing about whether or not your vehicle will reach your destination.
- Plan your route. This is an important aspect of your trip. Mark down where you will stop and make sure you stop every two hours or 200 km; whichever comes first. This will also ensure that you don’t run out of petrol.
- Pack only the essentials. If you or any of your passengers pack the bath and shower, it will have a negative effect on your fuel consumption. The lighter your vehicle is, the better the fuel economy.
- Plan for emergencies. Make sure that all your vehicle’s emergency equipment is in your vehicle. Also have a first aid kit nearby for minor medical emergencies. If you have a roadside assistance plan, utilise it when the situation arise.
- Pack a cooler. Not everyone will have space in their vehicles for a cooler box, but even having a cooler bag can be of great help. Keeping your cool drink and snacks cool can counter much of the summer-sun.
- Have entertainment nearby. When you have kids in the car, occupying there active minds is a must for long distances. Driving for hundreds of kilometers on end can become a drag, so make sure they do not feel the sheer grunt of the trip.
- Travel when days aren’t busy. Leaving a day earlier or later will ensure that you don’t get caught in holiday traffic. Sacrificing a day or two can ensure a peaceful trip without the stress associated with peak-traffic.
- Take in the scenery. You do not have to rush to get to your destination. Enjoy the views and trot along at a leisurely pace. Even doing 120 km/h can have an increased impact of around 20% on fuel consumption as opposed to doing a 100 km/h.
- Have battery chargers at hand. Make sure that you pack a compatible charger to recharge your cell phone and other electrical devices in the car. A charger might just be the single greatest emergency device when boredom hits your spouse or children.
- Before setting off, do a final-check to ensure that everything is in order. Say your prayers, your Hail Mary’s and enjoy the time away with your family and friends.
From all of us here at CAR, we wish you and your family safe travels. Enjoy the time away and always check-in to see what’s new on our website.