This will soon be a necessary feature in cars as we city commuters start spending more and more time on the road on balik kampung drives.
Anyway, here are a few tips before you start your journey to Balik Kampung or your much-anticipated long road trip:
- Maintain your vehicle
While regular servicing helps improve your safety and others on the road, it also saves you from preventable excessive repair cost. Therefore, it’s important to send your vehicle in for maintenance based on the stipulated time set by your mechanic. Be sure to maintain these parts of your car to ensure that it is in good condition before going for a long drive.
• Check both internal and external parts of the engine.
• Change the battery every 3-5 years and wiper blades every 6-12 months.
• Inspect vehicle engine oil and coolant fluids regularly and keep them at optimum levels.
• Ensure that the cooling system and radiator are regularly cleaned. - Check the air pressure in your tyre
Always check your vehicle’s tyre pressure before heading out on a long trip or when carrying extra load. Improper inflation pressure on your vehicle’s tyres can be dangerous and may cause tyre damage. Additionally, it will also affect the handling of your vehicle and its fuel efficiency. It’s also good to take a couple of minutes before your trip to thoroughly inspect for any cuts, cracks splits or bruises in the tread and sidewall area of the tyres. Don’t forget to also check your spare tyre (if you don’t have one, this would be a good time to invest in one) and ensure that it’s well-kept and regularly maintained in case you need it. - Prepare for a flat tyre. (Just in case)
Changing a flat tyre is not as difficult as you think, and it is definitely a skill that every driver should be familiar with. Additionally, it’s always a safe idea to be equipped with a tyre changing tool kit. You wouldn’t want to be stranded on a highway with a flat tyre and no tools. Here are some of the things that should be in your tyre changing tool kit:
• A spare tyre
• A jack
• A wheel wrench with extension bar
• A locking wheel-nut adapter (if appropriate)
• A good pair of gloves that offers protection and dexterity
