Car Safety Checklist

Prepare

If you're off on a family holiday or even just heading out in the car for the day, make sure you've prepared the car by doing all the necessary checks (more on this later). Make sure the kids have all they need to be comfortable and amused – the more occupied they are, the less likely they are to argue or demand your attention.

Don't get in the car without being prepared for the eventuality of a breakdown.  Make sure everyone has the right clothing for standing around outside if something goes wrong. 

Be prepared for all weathers. In the winter you may have to contend with snow, ice, water, fog and mud – so make sure you and your car are ready for whatever the weather throws at you.

Having a kit of essentials depending on the time of year is always a good idea. In the winter you may also want to keep a shovel in the boot, and bottles of de-icer and screen wash. Also consider a blanket and perhaps a flask if you need to go out in extreme weather. In the summer, make sure you have plenty of drinks – you never know how long you might get stuck in a traffic jam or at the side of the road.

Check, check, check

Checking your car regularly could help prevent breakdowns. Of course, there are certain mechanical failures you just can't do anything about, but a few simple steps will protect you and your family from avoidable dangers.

6 fluid checks to keep your car healthy

Every fortnight check:

• Engine Oil – take out the dipstick, clean and check again. The oil should be a clear golden brown and between the two markers on the stick. If it's low or thick and sticky, then it's time to change.

Once a month check:

• Transmission fluid – check with the engine running, but idle. The dipstick looks like the one for your oil. Take it out, clean the stick, now check the level and the colour – it should be raspberry pink in colour, definitely not brown or black and it shouldn't smell burnt.
  
  
• Power steering – you should be able to check visually on the reservoir. This shouldn't really change, so if the steering becomes looser then it's best to get it checked.
  
  
• Brake fluid – the reservoir for this is always on the driver’s side. You can check the level by looking down the side, there will be a marker. The colour is important – it should be a golden colour. If it's brown, get it changed.
  
  
• Screen wash – water alone won't clean the grime off your windscreen, so keep this topped up.

Twice a year check:

• Coolant (anti-freeze) – this stops your engine from boiling over or freezing. Technically this only really needs checking a couple of times of year as it shouldn't go down, but if you're checking everything else, you could keep an eye on this too.

What else should you check?

• Lights – the AA recommend you check all your lights weekly. In the winter when the roads are really dirty, you may need to give them a wipe clean every day. Remember to check all your lights and indicators, including the fog lights.
  
  
• Battery – if you don't have a voltage meter at home, you can ask a garage to check this for you.
  
  
• Windscreen wipers – these can perish quickly, so keep an eye on them. Watch out for streaks and gaps on the screen when you’re using them.

Have peace of mind with breakdown cover

Breakdown cover means you don't have to worry if something goes wrong with your car. One phone call will bring along a helpful mechanic. If the fault can't be fixed on the spot they'll tow your car to a garage and, depending on your level of cover, get you and your passengers home safely. You can buy breakdown cover on its own, or add it to your car insurance policy and double check you don’t already have cover as part of a packaged bank account or credit card.

The RAC attends more call outs for battery failure than anything else. Did you know that a car battery has a restricted life? Once they’re over 5 years old they can become less effective. To avoid being stuck on the roadside with the whole family in tow, get your battery checked or replaced.