Road trip

6 April 2023

Tasmanians look forward to extended weekends (like the Easter break) and a road trip. This has me thinking about how we treat our vehicles in terms of keeping them roadworthy, reliable and safe.

There’s no regulated roadworthiness system here so it’s down to you and the next vehicle owner to make sure our fleet is safe. If you want your vehicle to do all the things it’s been designed to do when the time comes – here are some simple tricks of the trade.

Before heading off: Lift the bonnet, and check engine oil and coolant. Newer vehicles may have electronic monitoring, so scan these levels and don’t forget to check the service book for when the next service is due.

Towing: If you’re towing the boat to the shack, it’s a good idea to have the trailer checked over so those infrequently used wheels and brakes are up to the journey. Nothing worse than losing a wheel with a car full of kids on the side of the road.

Battery: Keep an eye and ear on your vehicle’s battery. Slow or laboured engine cranking indicates a dying power source. On modern vehicles, this is the same power source that engine management, collision avoidance safety systems, brakes and steering all need to allow ‘on spec’ functionality.

Tyres and suspension: Check in with how your vehicle is handling on the road. Get your tyre pressures and tread depths inspected by someone who knows what they are doing. It’s critical if the weather goes south on us.

Conducting these simple procedures should help you get there safely. The best thing to do is have a professional look over your vehicle for any service and safety issues to ensure it’s in tip-top shape.

Look for the orange sign.

Words: TACC State Manager Bruce McIntosh. As featured in the Mercury 7 April 2023.