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Preparing for your summer holiday road trip.

As we prepare to catch up with family and friends across the country for the holidays, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Here are some tips for a stress-free break.

Car health tips.

Warrant of Fitness (WOF)

A WOF is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards and not having a current WOF can affect your insurance. So make sure it doesn’t run out while you’re away.

Tyres

Tyre tread wear and issues can easily go unnoticed, so it may pay to have a look before a long trip.

  • Check your tread depths (you need to have a minimum legal depth of 1.5mm all round) as the more tread the tyres have the better the grip.
  • Feel for any bulges or lacerations on the side of each tyre.
  • Check your tyre pressure, refer to your manual for the correct pressure level so that they have the correct air pressure. Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by up to 4% (Source: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi)
  • Double check your spare tyre before leaving home and that you have tyre replacement tools with you.

Lights

Roads are busy over the holidays and long weekends, so it’s important you can be seen in all driving conditions.

Check all lights are in good working condition, including your brake lights, indicators, reversing and low/high beams.

Fluids

Don’t let important fluids go unchecked. Lift the hood and check levels and the condition of fluids including:

  • Oil: If your oil is low, black and/or gritty, it may pay to have a service technician check your vehicle before you go.
  • Windscreen: Bugs can stick to your windows, so make sure your windscreen wiper fluid is full and includes a squirt of windscreen additive.

A service technician should also be able to help with radiator and brake fluids.

Towing

If you’re heading away in the summer, caravans, boats and trailers often get their first outing when the good weather arrives. Make sure caravan and trailer Warrant of Fitness certificates are up to date. Check to see that their lights are working and check wheel bearings to make sure they’re not loose or noisy.

Other ways to plan ahead.

  • Get a good night’s sleep before setting off. Getting eight hours sleep will mean you’re refreshed and in tip-top shape for a long road trip.

  • Before leaving home, make a plan to help avoid traffic delays and reduce the risk of accidents. Use the NZTA traffic map for the latest up-to-date information on real-time traffic movements and road closures.

  • Check weather conditions before setting off and plan accordingly, even delaying your plans if the forecast is for storms. If you do get stuck in bad conditions, adjust your driving to remain safe by slowing down, turning on your headlights and leaving enough room between you and other drivers.
  • Drive alert – take breaks every two hours to combat driver fatigue. Fatigue was a contributing factor in 9% of fatal crashes and 4% of serious injury crashes on New Zealand roads between 2020-2022 (Source: Ministry of Transport).

  • Have an emergency kit handy, including a spare tyre, jack, tyre lever, pump and any other tools that will come in handy in case of a break down, including a basic first aid kit.

  • Pack essential supplies such as food, water, tissues and in-car chargers.

  • Store luggage safely.

  • Restrain children and pets correctly.

Wishing you a wonderful and safe holiday season. 

Things you should know.

This article is intended to provide general information only, and should not be substituted for any legal, financial, or other professional advice. The information in this article is generally sourced from third-party websites and Westpac New Zealand Limited (“Westpac”) does not guarantee or accept any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currency or availability of the information on these websites. Any references to third party websites in this article are not intended to constitute a recommendation or any endorsement by Westpac.

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The information on this webpage is not a recommendation or opinion in relation to an insurance product and does not take your particular financial situation or goals into account.

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