Driving home for Christmas?

Make sure your car is roadworthy before setting off on your journey – and stays safe when you arrive.

As millions of people take to the roads in the great Christmas getaway, we have tips to help everything go smoothly.

Autoserv Car & Bike in Weston-super-Mare is offering this free advice to drivers so they can make sure their vehicle is roadworthy before travelling to see family and friends.

• Check the battery as one of the most common causes of a winter breakdown is battery failure. Batteries usually need replacing after five years.
• Make sure there is more fuel than you anticipate using for your journey in case of unexpected delays or diversions
• Check the coolant level and if it is low top it up with a mixture of water and antifreeze. If you are unsure get a professional to check it and top it up as required.
• Inspect wiper blades for splits and damage and replace them if necessary.
• Check and clean the lights and keep spare bulbs in the car just in case
• Inspect tyres for damage such as splits or bulges and make sure to get them checked by a professional. Check the pressures every fortnight and for safe winter driving tyres should have at least 3mm of tread.

“Breaking down during the Christmas period and having to wait to be recovered in the cold is no fun for anyone so we are reminding motorists to check their vehicles before starting their journey,” said Paul Rogers, Managing Director of Autoserv Car & Bike.

You can get winter checks at various garages. For instance, Volkswagen Retailers are offering checks for £20, so you can make sure your car is prepared for everything the season throws at it.

Security matters

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has this advice on to keep your car safe this Christmas.

• Don’t leave your car unattended with the engine running while it warms up, particularly when you have valuables left in there. It is surprising how many people do this and your insurance company may not pay out on any claim.
• Ensure you park your car in a bay that can be seen and has good surveillance. When you return to your car have your keys ready and watch out for anyone acting suspiciously. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination and always choose a well-lit, CCTV protected car park.
• It might sound obvious, but do ensure all car windows and doors are locked before leaving the car park – making sure you have not left any of your personal belongings behind. If you have one, use a steering lock.
• Put the sat-nav away before leaving your car. If it attaches to your windscreen, wipe off any traces of ring-marks.
• It goes without saying that you should keep all your shopping bags and presents out of sight. If they can be seen they can be stolen.
• Avoid leaving your purchases in the car overnight. After a big shopping trip, ensure you drop off all your purchases at home before heading elsewhere.
• Remember, you are still an easy target for thieves without anything valuable on display. Your A-Z road atlas or a few old CDs, which you don’t find as valuable as your gifts can still attract unwanted attention. Keep it all out of sight.

“Much of this advice is sheer common sense, however these are the things people neglect time and time again with the stress of Christmas shopping,” said IAM’s Peter Rodger.

“This may be the season for giving, but there is no need to gift your hard-earned presents to an undeserving thief. So passengers need to play their part and remind drivers not to turn their vehicles into a shop window.”