Johannesubrg- With the annual December holidays come those long road trips to your favourite destination.
But before you get the car packed and the kids bundled into the back seat, it may be worth giving your jammy the ol’ once-over to make sure it’s ship-shape for the trip. It’s with this in mind that we’ve listed a few places that could assist:
RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY
The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has initiated a free safety check campaign, using a selection of the country’s private and municipal vehicle testing stations to conduct safety checks until Saturday, December 13. The test will include the assessment of seat belts; windscreen wipers; front and rear tyres; brakes front and rear (including the parking brake); steering mechanisms (including control arms, steering boxes and tie rod ends); front and rear suspension; exhaust system; and wheel alignment. The RMI mentions that similar campaigns in the past revealed that up to 78 percent of vehicles tested needed some type of repair. For details on your nearest testing station call Johannesburg 011 789 2542; Pretoria 012 348 9311; Cape Town 021 939 9440; and Durban 031 266 7031 (testing stations in the Free State, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape are not involved in the campaign).
GLOBAL VEHICLE TESTING
Global Vehicle Testing have 18 branches across the country, with services including roadworthy, performance, brake, stability and handling, and headlight testing. The inspection centres also offer multi-point checks, and the fitment of Microdots (Veridots) to motor vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and trailers. Global Vehicle Testing, which complies with and is linked to the Natis system, is approved by the SABS, and caters for heavy vehicles too. Stations are open Monday to Saturday. For more information visit www.globalvehicletesting.com
AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
The AA offers its Dekra Centre Safety Check, which inspects suspension, steering, visible fluid leaks, cooling system, braking system, tyres, fan belt, radiator hoses, lights, seat belts, hooter, trailer socket, and windscreen wipers. Where any of the items do not pass this basic roadworthy assessment, the examiner will thoroughly explain the dangers of not having them fixed so the motorist knows what the risks are. For your nearest Dekra Centre visit www.dekraauto.co.za
DOING IT YOURSELF?
If you’re doing the safety check yourself, your basic inspection should include the vehicle’s lights (head lights, brake lights, tail lights and indicators); check the windscreen for chips and cracks; make sure the wipers do a clean wipe, fill up the water reservoir, check the oil level and brake fluid, check tyre pressures, and inspect the condition of all the tyres – including the spare and its tools. Balancing and aligning your tyres may be a good idea too.
WHAT TO BRING ALONG
In terms of safety-critical items to carry along, aftermarket spares company Autozone suggest a jack and wheel spanner for both your car and trailer, a tow rope, foot/hand pump for flat tyres, canister of Emergency Tyre Weld/Tyre Inflator, torch/roadside emergency beacon (with extra set of batteries), warning triangle, first aid kit, visibility vest, globe kit, spare set of fuses, and a basic tool kit.
And, most importantly, obey the rules of the road, keep a safe following distance, rest during long trips, obey the speed limits, and drive safely. Have a great festive season from all of us here at Motoring!
Star Motoring