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Car maintenance tips for travelling

Before you go	If you’re planning on taking your car to Europe, or indeed on any lengthy driving trip that will keep you away from home, you should complete all the checks outlined in the car maintenance section beforehand. If your car is due for its next service within the next three months or so, you should bring this forward so that it is carried out before your trip. If you are travelling in Northern Europe at a time when temperatures may be very low, pay particular attention to both your anti-freeze concentration and to the condition of your tyres. Some countries also have laws requiring fitting of snow chains. Adjust your headlamp alignment. You are legally required not to 'cause dazzle to oncoming drivers' while driving in Europe. Because of the difference between our right-hand drive, and Europe’s left-hand position, this means that if you are going to be driving for more than a day or two, it’s wise to adjust the angle of your headlight beams. Your owner’s handbook will explain how to do this, but you may prefer to have your garage do it for you. Don’t forget to revert them to their UK alignment when you return home. Adding the Foreign travel option to Your Cover will extend the full range of insurance you enjoy at home in the UK to protect you for up to 90 days driving in Europe. Foreign travel insurance provides you with reassurance and peace of mind when you set off to explore Europe. In addition to being able to enjoy your trip with this security behind you, the following tips will help you enjoy relaxing and trouble-free motoring when travelling across Europe: Before leaving, take the time to familiarise yourself with the driving laws of the countries you will be travelling in, and print off a summary of speed limits and other basics for each country - you may find the Drive Alive website useful in this respect Check the local rules regarding safety equipment for your car, most countries require you to carry a warning triangle, a reflective jacket, first aid kit and spare bulbs You should have a GB sticker on the back of your car if your number plate doesn’t contain this information and make sure you have all useful paperwork including your driving licence and insurance documentation Have your vehicle, plus any trailer you may be towing, properly serviced before you leave home. Check your tyre pressures, plus oil and coolant levels, every couple of days - continual driving makes different demands on your vehicle from those it is likely to experience at home Take a spare set of car keys with you. If possible keep these with you (but separate from your other car keys) at all times, in a handbag or jacket, or locked in your hotel room safe overnight Ensure that your sat nav is loaded with up-to-date maps for countries you will be visiting; you can download maps online or buy up-to-date discs In addition to a sat nav, a good road atlas of Europe is well worth having Ensure that luggage and cargo are packed sensibly. Long motoring trips are a little like camping holidays; a small amount of thought can save you a lot of roadside rummaging or unloading and reloading

Before you go

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If you’re planning on taking your car to Europe, or indeed on any lengthy driving trip that will keep you away from home, you should complete all the checks outlined in the car maintenance section beforehand. If your car is due for its next service within the next three months or so, you should bring this forward so that it is carried out before your trip.

If you are travelling in Northern Europe at a time when temperatures may be very low, pay particular attention to both your anti-freeze concentration and to the condition of your tyres. Some countries also have laws requiring fitting of snow chains.

Adjust your headlamp alignment. You are legally required not to 'cause dazzle to oncoming drivers' while driving in Europe. Because of the difference between our right-hand drive, and Europe’s left-hand position, this means that if you are going to be driving for more than a day or two, it’s wise to adjust the angle of your headlight beams. Your owner’s handbook will explain how to do this, but you may prefer to have your garage do it for you. Don’t forget to revert them to their UK alignment when you return home.

Adding the Foreign travel option to Your Cover will extend the full range of insurance you enjoy at home in the UK to protect you for up to 90 days driving in Europe.

Foreign travel insurance provides you with reassurance and peace of mind when you set off to explore Europe.

In addition to being able to enjoy your trip with this security behind you, the following tips will help you enjoy relaxing and trouble-free motoring when travelling across Europe:

Before leaving, take the time to familiarise yourself with the driving laws of the countries you will be travelling in, and print off a summary of speed limits and other basics for each country - you may find the Drive Alive website useful in this respect
Check the local rules regarding safety equipment for your car, most countries require you to carry a warning triangle, a reflective jacket, first aid kit and spare bulbs
You should have a GB sticker on the back of your car if your number plate doesn’t contain this information and make sure you have all useful paperwork including your driving licence and insurance documentation
Have your vehicle, plus any trailer you may be towing, properly serviced before you leave home. Check your tyre pressures, plus oil and coolant levels, every couple of days - continual driving makes different demands on your vehicle from those it is likely to experience at home
Take a spare set of car keys with you. If possible keep these with you (but separate from your other car keys) at all times, in a handbag or jacket, or locked in your hotel room safe overnight
Ensure that your sat nav is loaded with up-to-date maps for countries you will be visiting; you can download maps online or buy up-to-date discs
In addition to a sat nav, a good road atlas of Europe is well worth having
Ensure that luggage and cargo are packed sensibly. Long motoring trips are a little like camping holidays; a small amount of thought can save you a lot of roadside rummaging or unloading and reloading

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Car maintenance tips for travelling

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