As we all know, summer in South Africa means endless braais, beach days, bush getaways and long road trips to the grandparents for the kids. But before you strut your stuff on the beach, make sure you don't forget the most important thing after sunscreen and your trusty shades – a pre-holiday check.
Every year, we hear the same messages and warnings about getting a pre-holiday check, and yet every year there are always people stuck on the side of the road in the sizzling sun. Everyone thinks they are the exception until they understand why it should be standard procedure; don't be that person this summer. Here are 5 smart tips for travelling this summer.
Get a pre-holiday check: Make sure your vehicle's water, oil, fluid, tyre pressure and other essential components are handled before you leave; nothing kills the holiday fun like an overheating engine or a burst tyre.
Check your spare parts and toolkit: If the worst does occur, make sure that you have the tools you need. Don't remove your extra tyre to make space for yet another suitcase. Waiting in the scorching heat for help and paying an arm and a leg on top of that is not fun, especially when it's an easy fix.
Take extra precautions: Check out the emergency numbers, local dealers and service centres along your route and at your destination. Knowing who to call could save you a few extra rands. And if you are visiting Gauteng, Autohaus Centurion is always ready to assist.
Double-check your warranty and service plan: This sounds silly, but it's not. Picture this: you finally make it to a dealership after waiting for 2 hours on the side of the road with screaming kids, only to get told you have to pay out of pocket because your vehicle is out of warranty/service plan. We don't want to see that meltdown either, so save yourself the time and extra expenses by checking.
Post-Holiday Checks Matter Too: We know it's the last thing you want to do after a holiday, but it could be the difference between a minor fix and a major hassle. Check out your car after travelling for any weird sounds or inconsistencies. Your friend who borrowed your car might not have told you about that branch they hit, but the bill from your damaged undercarriage will certainly make you wish you had taken the 2 minutes to check after the holidays.
