With Easter and spring-time staycations on the horizon, it’s easy to get distracted by packing and forget the importance of checking your vehicle and its tyres ahead of a long journey.
We’ve teamed up with the experts at leading mid-range tyre brand, Davanti Tyres, to recommended these five maintenance checks to carry out before you set off on your road trip.
1. Check your tyre pressure and unusual wear and tear
It is recommended that you check your tyre pressures once a month as standard, so if you haven’t checked in the weeks before your trip, take the time to do so now.
Tyres can quickly become deflated if they aren’t checked regularly, and this can result in excessive and uneven wearing of the tread. Additionally, any visible perforation, cut or deformation has the potential to render the tyre unsafe to use so they must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional if you find something unusual.
2. Make sure there is enough tread
This improves your grip, the vehicle’s handling, and – ultimately – your safety. The 20p test is a simple, quick, and easy way of checking the tyre tread of your car’s wheels. Just take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit.
3. Don’t overload your car
We’re all guilty of overpacking, but remember, your vehicle’s tyres are doing the hard work of supporting the total weight of the vehicle and withstanding deformations, speed, and heat, so be mindful of how much you’re taking with you.
If you do need to carry a heavier load than normal, adjust the tyre pressure accordingly, which can be found in the car’s documentation.
4. Light up your holiday
Before you set off, do a quick check of all the lights on your vehicle. For example, turn on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned, as well as checking indicator and parking lights.
5. Engine oil
The oil in your vehicle’s engine serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion.
It’s well worth taking that extra 10 minutes to ensure your oil level is at the right level ready for your road trip.
As Peter Cross – General Manager, Davanti Tyres – says: “Regular car maintenance and tyre checks are important. If you ensure any small issues are resolved quickly, it stops a small issue becoming a bigger problem and putting a dampener on any staycations.”
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Abba’s Dancing Queen and Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi have been voted Britain’s favourite car sing-along songs.
A poll of 2,000 motorists, commissioned by Fiat and inspired by its all-electric 500 La Prima (which features a JBL audio system), found 78 per cent of drivers sing in the car.
More than four in 10 (42 per cent) who enjoy a croon in the car claimed singing is “essential” to their driving experience, while 51 per cent revealed it makes them happy.
However, 37 per cent have been forced to listen to tone-deaf passengers or drivers while on the road. In fact, only 21 per cent of drivers, who enjoy belting out a few numbers, think they’re any good.
Toyota has just launched the bZ4X – it’s first battery electric vehicle – and to celebrate it’s compiled a list of attractions that provide EV car chargers on-site, or nearby.
The Toyota bZ4X SUV is a fab option for a zero-emission journey, offering a driving range of up to 317 miles with the front-wheel drive option, and up to 286 miles with all-wheel drive.
Whether you’re planning a weekend trip, or a school holiday road trip, many of the following theme parks, museums, beaches, and nature reserves offer EV charging for free, included in the car parking price, so you can enjoy a zero-emission journey to your chosen venue, then plug in and enjoy your day.
England
Diggerland, Langley Park,Durham
You might say you’re visiting Diggerland to treat the kids, but it’s hard to resist getting behind the wheel of a full-size construction digger, tractor or dumper, or taking a whirl on the huge digger bucket of the ‘Spindizzy’ ride. The EV charging station is free for visitors with BEV or plug in hybrid cars. There are also Diggerlands in Kent, Devon and West Yorkshire, which all offer EV charging too.
Thorpe Park, Chertsey, Surrey
Home to the world’s first ten-loop rollercoaster and the new Stealth rollercoaster, which is the UK’s fastest ride, reaching 0–80mph in under two seconds, Thorpe Park is a must for adrenaline thrills. Access to four EV chargers is included in the car park price.
Sundown Adventureland, Rampton, Nottinghamshire
A theme park designed especially for under-10s, Sundown Adventureland has over 20 rides and attractions, including a sing-along show, candy castle and lots of play areas. To make a weekend of it, book a glamping cabin at the new Wild Acre Village. There are six EV chargers in the car park, which can be accessed via the CityEV Opencard app.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Worsley, Manchester
Set on the former site of historic Worsley New Hall, which was visited by Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, the 154-acre RHS Bridgewater is one of Europe’s most ambitious garden restoration projects. It is divided into multiple zones, such as the tranquil Chinese Garden, wild Ellesmere Lake, and the colourful Paradise Garden. There are three EV charging stations, with space for six cars, provided by EV Charge Online.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
From its white-knuckle rollercoasters and spooky ‘Pasaje del Terror’ interactive horror show, to the seaside slot machines, crazy golf and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has attractions to amuse all the family. There are also live entertainment nights too. There are two 7kW charging bays in the Balmoral Road car park, provided by pod POINT.
Brockhole, Lake Windermere, Lake District
Overlooking Lake Windermere, Brockhole outdoor activity centre offers an adventure playground, go-carts, archery and mini-golf. You can hire kayaks, paddleboards or a motorboat to explore the water, or can follow the whimsical Faerie Trail through the forest. Profits from the EV car chargers are used to conserve the Lake District National Park.
RSPB Minsmere, Saxmundham, Suffolk
On a peaceful stretch of the Suffolk coastline, RSPB Minsmere is a haven for migrating birds, and has seven ‘hides’ from which to see them. It’s ideal for a soul-soothing day out in nature, spotting birds such as marsh harriers, nightingales, avocets and nightingales. The reserve’s EV charger can be pre-booked by phone.
The Wave, Easter Compton, Bristol
The Wave has to be seen to be believed: it’s a huge 180-metre inland pool, that generates perfect surf waves, with crystal-clear water and plenty of space for everyone. Up to 1,000 waves can be generated per hour, ranging from 50cm in height for beginners, to two metres for experts. Tuition is available for all ages and abilities, with wetsuits and board hire included in the entry price. The two 7kW EV charging points in the car park are available for free, on a first come, first served basis.
Scotland
V&A Dundee
The V&A Dundee is Scotland’s design museum and explores the country’s design heritage. It’s curved concrete walls create the impression of a Scottish cliff face and are a striking addition to Dundee’s waterfront., having been designed by celebrated Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. Inside, the Scottish Galleries are filled with home-grown fashion, furniture, and jewellery, and there’s also an impressive schedule of exhibitions. The museum shop sells a selection of creative gifts, books, prints, stationery and jewellery, with proceeds helping to support the museum. There is an Urban Electric charging station at Earl Grey Place West, just a two-minute walk from the museum.
Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, Drumnadrochit
Catch a glimpse of Scotland’s most mysterious monster at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, which features photographs of Nessie ‘sightings’, underwater footage, and insights into the area’s remarkable geology. You can also take a loch cruise on a monster-spotting boat. There are rapid EV chargers in the Drumnadrochit tourist information car park, which is part of the ChargePlace Scotland EV charging network.
Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan
From Australian eucalyptus and New Zealand ferns, to Chilean palm trees and South African lilies, Logan Botanic Garden is filled with plants from all over the world, which thrive thanks to the warm microclimate of south-western Scotland. There is a walled garden, woodlands and a huge Victorian-style conservatory to explore. The car park offers four free EV chargers.
Wales
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Machynlleth
With its thriving organic gardens, cutting-edge sustainable buildings and woodlands full of birdsong, CAT is a vision of an eco-friendly future. Join a hands-on workshop, learn how to grow your own veggies, or simply enjoy a walk in the beautiful grounds. There is a 32 amp Type 2 charging station in the car park, which is free for visitors.
Penbryn Beach, Cardigan Bay
One of the loveliest golden, sandy beaches on Wales’s west coast, Penbryn is ideal for sunny picnics, sandcastles and family-friendly paddling. It’s also a great location for stargazing at night. You reach the beach by meandering through woods, with amazing views of Cardigan Bay. It is run by the National Trust, and offers wheelchair access, a café, and a 7kW EV charger in the car park.
Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Rhayader, Mid Wales
With its wildlife-rich woodlands, surrounding Cambrian mountains, dams and reservoirs, the Elan Valley is a haven for walking, cycling and fishing. Bikes are available to hire from the visitor centre, where there are two ZeroNet EV chargers, with cost of charging included in the £3 parking fee.
The vast majority of British motorists are planning summer staycations, despite the easing of international travel restrictions, claims new research.
According to the study by Autoglass, the UK’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company, four in five (85%) drivers will be heading out to explore homegrown attractions.
This is a significant increase from 2017 when a third of British adults said they were planning to holiday in the UK.
More than half (57%) of road users will take trips to the countryside, while 56% are heading off to the seaside, with just 15% saying they are unlikely to visit any UK attractions by car this summer.
Nearly half (47%) of car owners surveyed said they expect to use their vehicles more frequently in the next three months, with only 7% of respondents saying they will drive less.
Those drivers that are likely to use their car more frequently say this is due to discomfort around taking public transport and increasing Covid-19 infection rates, while those saying they will use their car less frequently attribute this to still working from home, changing holiday plans, and the delay to loosening restrictions from 21 June.
Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.
The typical road trip lasts just under four hours, covers 150 miles and includes 41 songs to sing-along to, according to a new study by Esso.
More than a third of the of 2,000 adults questioned believe one of the most important aspects of a road trip is who they’re travelling with, while three passengers and the driver was found to be the preferred number.
It also emerged the average year sees Brits go on eight road trips – with 61 per cent currently having one lined up.
Of those, 43 per cent plan to travel with their partner, 20 per cent with their children and 10 per cent with their parents.
Other important aspects for a road trip were good weather (36 per cent), the scenery (31 per cent) and the final destination (31 per cent).
Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’, Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and Pharrell William’s ‘Happy’ were revealed as the go-to songs to singalong to in the car that transcend the generation gap, while The Killers ‘Mr Brightside’ is a firm favourite among millennials.
Esso, which is the technical partner of the Red Bull Racing Honda Formula 1 team, asked drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, about their road trip memories as children.
“The long rides I remember, were back in the day with my dad,” said Max. “So, we’d be listening to like, 70s, 80s, 90s – it would go from like Elvis Presley, to Michael Jackson, to Barry White, you know all this kind of stuff.”
The research also revealed that one in six Brits also believe regular scheduled stops are vital, with the typical ‘pit stop’ lasting 17 minutes, which usually involves stopping off at a service station (40 per cent), visiting a viewpoint (33 per cent) and enjoying a picnic (25 per cent).
Favourite in-car games were ‘I Spy’ (20 per cent), spotting unusual number plates (10 per cent) and ’20 questions’ (10 per cent). Other popular games are ‘Guess the tune’, ‘Spot the Animal’ and ‘Yellow Car’.
