Car maintenance and safety

    Before embarking on any long-distance car trip, have your car fully serviced. Your vehicle manufacturer should be able to supply a list of approved dealers in the country you intend to visit.
    Ensure you have your car manual with you. It is also advisable to bring a basic tool kit and a spare set of keys. A sticker on the back of the car identifying your country of origin is mandatory in our country. It will also alert other drivers to the fact that you are not familiar with the roads. Consult your car manual for specific maintenance advice. In general, it is important to check the following:

• Engine oil and filter.
    After heavy use or after driving under difficult or rigorous conditions (constant city driving, frequent mountain driving, poor road conditions, driving through dust or mud, after using a trailer for long periods) it may be necessary to change the oil and filter more frequently than usual.

• Brakes and brake fluid.
  
• Automatic transmission fluid level.
  
• Tyres.
    Adapt the pressure to the type of journey you are undertaking and the expected road conditions. Remember to check the spare tyre as well. The tyres should also be checked thoroughly for excessive wear or damage: look for any gashes or embedded nails or glass. Ask the mechanic to check the wheel balance if you're planning a long trip.

• Coolant level.
  
• Battery fluid level.
    The fluid level should be checked more frequently in hot weather.

• Exhaust system.
    Electric pulling fan-check that this is functioning properly if you are planning to drive in hot countries.

• Windscreen wipers and washer system.
  
• Head lamps.
    Fan belt-unless your car is new, it may be a good idea to fit a new fan belt before a long journey. Keep the one that's been removed as a spare for the trip.


Driving safely

    Adjust your driving style to the immediate weather conditions. Remember, tyre grip is greatly affected by wet or icy roads. Under these conditions steer and use your brakes with particular caution.
    Relieve the load on your brakes on long and steep gradients by driving in a lower gear. This prevents over heating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
    When driving in heavy rain, remember that the brakes may not function as quickly as usual the first time they are applied. Allow plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front. After driving through deep water, it is advisable to test the brakes by braking slowly a number of times.
    When driving on icy roads avoid abrupt acceleration, braking, and steering. If you are in danger of skidding, depress the clutch, or, in the case of automatic transmission, move the gear lever to neutral. Try to keep control by corrective steering and brake gently. Salt on the road can adversely affect braking efficiency-brake gently and repeatedly to help return braking efficiency to normal.
    Be aware that permitted alcohol levels may be 0,0 ‰!


Driving economically

    Fuel consumption is greatly affected by the way you drive. In order to save fuel you should:

• ensure your tyre pressure is correct
  
• remove unnecessary loads (for example, ski racks if not in use)
  
• avoid frequent and sharp acceleration and deceleration
  
• shift gears appropriately
  
• have your car regularly serviced.