With the bank holiday weekend upon us, millions of motorists will get behind the wheel for getaways, holidays and journeys to visit to family and friends.
In 2024, around 16million motorists headed out on car journeys at this time of year, with Easter Sunday seeing around 48% of Britain’s total number of cars on the road! (according to the AA).
2025 looks to be no different, so we’d like to take this opportunity to remind drivers of the five essential vehicle checks they should complete before setting off on a long journey. These checks are always important, but especially so on longer trips and at busy travel times.
Check these five things before you drive to significantly reduce your risk of accidents and breakdowns this bank holiday weekend.
Check 1: Oil
Driving your car an extended distance without the correct level of motor oil can be devastating to its engine. The oil exists to lubricate and protect all moving parts in the engine, allowing them to rub up against each other without friction.
With a low oil level, the friction can increase steadily, up to the point that the engine may seize. Once this has happened, the repair bill will be significant, if the car can be repaired at all. The oil warning light on your dashboard requires immediate attention to prevent damage to your vehicle’s engine.
How to check oil level:
- Ensure the engine is cool. Ideally, check first thing in the morning before starting the car (as warm oil can give an inaccurate reading)
- Open the bonnet of your car.
- Locate the dipstick (deliberately coloured, normally yellow) and remove.
- The bottom of the dipstick should be coated in oil. Wipe this oil away using a cloth, then return the dipstick fully into the hole you pulled it from.
- Remove it again, then look carefully at where the oil level rises to on the bottom of the dipstick.
- Check that the oil level is between the min and max levels denoted on the dipstick. Check your car’s owner’s manual if you are unsure.
- If the level is within range, you’re good to go. If it is too low, top up the oil before travelling.
- Return dipstick fully into hole and close bonnet.
For even more information on topping up oil, check out this video:
Electric vehicle coolant:
For EVs, coolant does the equivalent job to motor oil, preventing the car’s battery system from overheating and causing potentially irreversible damage.
How to top up EV coolant:
- The car will notify you on the dashboard that levels are low.
- Follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions provided with your vehicle.
For even more information on topping up EV coolant, check out this video:
Check 2: Tyre Pressure & Tread Level
Incorrect tyre pressure and tread level affects your car’s fuel consumption and more importantly braking, handling and your car’s grip on the road. Under or over-inflated tyres can be extremely dangerous, especially in difficult conditions.
It is essential that the pressure, tread level and general condition of your tyres is checked before travelling at all… but especially for longer distances.
How to check tyre pressure:
- Ensure the car is switched off and on level ground and that your tyres are cool.
- Take a tyre pressure gauge (analogue or digital), either at home if you have one or at your local petrol station/garage.
- Unscrew each tyre’s valve cap and attach the pressure gauge to the now-open valve.
- The gauge will now give you a reading. On the inside of your driver’s door there will be a guide to optimal pressure ranges for your tyres. (The max PSI will also be noted on the tyre, but we recommend using the guide). You can also look the ideal pressure up online.
- Ensure the pressure reading is correct on all four tyres.
- If it isn’t, add/remove air from the tyres using either your own pump or the pump at your local petrol station/garage.
For even more information on checking tyre pressure, check out this video:
…or this article:
Tyre tread:
In the UK, driving with bald tyres (below the legal tread depth of 1.6mm) is both dangerous and illegal, leading to fines (up to £2,500 per tyre) and three penalty points per tyre, potentially resulting in a driving ban and insurance issues.
How to check tyre tread level:
- Take a UK 20p piece and insert it into each groove on all four tyres.
- Once inserted, if you cannot see the outer border of the coin, then the tyre’s tread level is safe.
- If you CAN see the outer border on the coin, the tyre’s tread level is likely below the legal safety limit and must be replaced before you drive.
- If your tyres have Tread Wear Indicators (TWI) inside the tread grooves, you can use those instead.
- The legal minimum limit is 1.6mm but manufacturers advise the replacement of a tyre once it has reached a tread depth of 3mm.
NOTE: Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs) are small bars within the main tyre grooves that indicate when a tire’s tread depth has reached the legal minimum of 1.6mm, signalling the need for replacement.
Check 3: Windscreen washer level
Whilst it may seem less important, keeping your windscreen washer fluid (screen wash) at the appropriate level is vital for driver visibility, especially in more challenging conditions.
Road salt and dirt can quickly obscure your windscreen, making it difficult to see. Wipers alone cannot clear a dirty windscreen effectively without washer fluid. A lack of water in your window washing system can cause dangerously low visibility very quickly in the wrong conditions.
How to check washer level:
- Open your car’s bonnet.
- Locate the washer fluid cap. (Usually deliberately coloured in yellow or blue, usually with a picture of water/window on it)
- On the container the cap opens, check on the side. It will denote ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ level lines.
- Ensure the water level is right up to the Max line, especially if you are planning a longer journey.
- If not, top up with either tap water or ideally, proper windscreen washer fluid from your local garage/supermarket. (The proper fluid contains anti-freeze, meaning it will never let you down, regardless of outdoor temperature.)
For even more information on adding washer fluid to your car, check out this video:
Check 4: Lights
It is incredibly important the lights on your vehicle are functioning correctly… and not just for nighttime driving. Your car’s indicator lights communicate your movements to other drivers, and fog lights improve visibility in poor weather.
You can be fined £60 and handed 3 points for faulty lights – and in severe cases have your car taken off the road. So, make sure they’re working correctly before you set off.
How to check your lights:
- Turn your car’s engine on, leave vehicle in stationary position.
- Methodically and individually turn on each of your car’s lights – beam, fog, indicators, brake, hazard lights – then physically go and check that they come on and remain on in the correct manner.
- Then turn them off, switch on the next one and repeat the process until all lights have been checked.
- For your brake lights, try to use a reflection or ideally get someone else check around the back of the car whilst you press the brake pedal.
For even more information on checking your car’s lights, check out this video:
Check 5: Fuel/charge level
The fifth and final check as – although it isn’t the least important – not having enough fuel or charge in their car will be a more noticeable issue than the first four checks to most motorists!
Failure to put enough fuel or charge in your vehicle before long journeys will of course prevent you from reaching your destination.
How to check your fuel level:
- Switch on your car’s engine.
- Locate the fuel gauge on the dashboard.
- Check the appropriate amount of fuel is in reserve. (Modern cars, in addition to having a dial or gauge, will also display a ‘Range’ in miles, allowing you to assess how much more fuel you may need for your journey.
- If there isn’t enough fuel is in reserve, add the appropriate amount extra as soon as possible.
How to check your battery charge level:
- Switch on your car’s engine.
- Locate the battery level indicator on the dashboard.
- Check the appropriate amount of battery is in reserve. (Modern EVs, in addition to having a battery level indicator, will also display a ‘Range’ in miles, allowing you to assess how much more charge you may need for your journey)
- If your battery charge level is low, either charge your vehicle at home if you have the capability, or head to your nearest charging point before you travel.
- With EVs, we advise to check further for available charging points on your route: Depending on the length of your journey, you may need to factor in another charging stop and EV charging points are still less plentiful than those for fuel… even more so at busy travel times.
NOTE: To find EV charging points nationwide, use the interactive map on ZapMap or the CarWow website. These display locations, types and charging speeds and allow filtering by network and location (both linked below).
Conclusion
With millions of people taking to the roads this bank holiday weekend, ensuring your vehicle is in top condition before setting off will can prevent breakdowns, accidents and travel delays.
Check all five before you drive!