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Mr Fix It - May29th, 2008 E-mail
Written by Staff Reporter   
Thursday, 29 May 2008
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Mr Fix It - May29th, 2008
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Preparing the Car

Most breakdowns are a result of inadequate car maintenance. Here are some tips on how to make sure your car will be fine for the long trip.

Make sure your tyre tread is at least 1.6 mm. This is the legal requirement, although it is recommended to be 3mm. Worn tyres increase the risk of aquaplaning in wet weather. This alters your handling and means your stopping distance is far longer than usual.

Tyre pressure is also important. It can have an effect on steering and braking. Tyres that aren’t properly inflated wear quickly. Remember that tyre pressure is affected by the number of people in the car, and the amount of luggage. Check the spare wheel and jack just in case.

Checking the engine is vital. Keep an eye on the water and oil levels to avoid overheating or a breakdown.

Test the windscreen and lights too. The windscreen wiper reservoir should be full. Ensure the windscreen wipers are not damaged as this will affect your ability to see through the windscreen in bad weather. The law requires lights to be clean and in good working order.



 
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