Planning a road trip these holidays? It’s a great way to connect with family and friends. But a festive-season drive involves more than loading the car and finding the nearest highway. Some simple preparation can help you side-step preventable problems and make your time on the road enjoyable and hassle-free.

Here are some pointers to consider before driving off

Scheduled servicing and maintenance

An easy way to keep your car operating safely and correctly is to ensure its scheduled maintenance is done on time. Doing this helps keep your car roadworthy and performing as expected. Scheduled servicing involves replacing and checking important technical items in your car. For example, heat and friction mean oils gradually lose their abilities to lubricate, cool and protect metal surfaces. Correct oil in the right condition is especially important when it comes to metal bearings. Brake pads need sufficient material to operate properly (especially for emergency braking). And filters that don’t let fluids move freely can affect performance and reliability. Make sure your car’s scheduled services are up-to-date before you drive away on your holidays. Contact your nearest authorised Mazda dealer if your Mazda is due (or overdue) for its next scheduled service. It will be money well spent.

 

Tyres

These are the only items that physically connect your car to the road. They help achieve your Mazda’s ride comfort, fuel efficiency and safety. They’re also critical in an emergency.

Thankfully, tyres can be simple to maintain. Check their pressure levels regularly (your Mazda’s recommended tyre pressures are in its owner’s manual and on a sticker inside the car, usually located on the driver’s side door pillar) and visually inspect them for any punctures (such as nails and screws embedded in their tread surfaces).

Tyres have Tread Wear Indicators to signal when the tread becomes too low. They also have a four-digit code on their sidewalls to indicate when they were manufactured. The first two numbers are the week of the year they were made, and the second two numbers refer to the year they were made. If your tyres are getting old they will likely need replacing. Drop into your local Mazda dealer to check your tread wear and tyre age. And don’t forget your spare tyre if your car has one fitted.

 

 

Off-road driving

Nothing beats conquering Australia’s open country and 4WD tracks in a Mazda BT-50 but you should consider some essentials before heading off-road these holidays.

Plan your trip. Let others know where and when you intend to drive, especially if it’s into remote areas. Ideally, travel with another suitable 4x4 vehicle in case you need assistance.

Pack the correct off-road recovery gear and safety equipment for the conditions you’re driving in. For example, if you’re planning a beach drive, pack a suitable portable air compressor to re-inflate your tyres after reducing their pressures for sand driving.

Mazda offers a wide range of Genuine Accessories for the Mazda BT-50. Click here to see the full range.

If you’re new to off-road driving, or if you’re planning to tackle some serious terrain for the first time, consider investing in some specialised off-road driver training.

 

Towing

Caravans, campers and trailers of all kinds are regular sights on Australian roads this time of the year. Before you hitch up your Mazda BT-50, check the essential weights you need to consider using Mazda Australia’s online Payload Calculator. And if you’re new to towing – or tow infrequently – consider some driver training and practice before commencing your holiday road trip.

 

Registration and insurance

We’re all busy. Families, careers, business needs and other commitments can make it easy to occasionally forget to pay regular bills on time. It can be the same with your car’s registration, especially now that some Australian states no longer issue vehicle registration labels with expiry dates. Last year, there were more than 21 million registered motor vehicles in Australia so there’s a decent chance some owners will have overlooked their annual vehicle registration renewals. Rules in each Australian state can vary but driving an unregistered motor vehicle on a public road can attract substantial fines and penalties.

And if you’ve forgotten to renew your car’s registration, there’s a good chance you might have forgotten to renew its insurance. Don’t find out when it’s too late. Check your car’s registration status online with your relevant state authority, and contact your insurer to make sure your cover is current.

 

 

Plan your route

Research online the rest stops and fuel stops you’ll need to make to reach your planned destination. It’s important to find safe places away from highways and main roads where you can stop to let all occupants stretch and exercise during the trip. Google Maps is ideal for this.

Pack safely

Check your Mazda’s owner’s manual for any packing tips. Take plenty of drinking water for everyone, especially if you’re heading to remote locations. And never overload your vehicle. If you’re driving a Mazda BT-50, check Mazda’s online Payload Calculator to determine the available weights for towing, cabin items and cargo.

These simple pointers can help make your holiday road trip fun and memorable. Just add them to your checklist when booking other items such as accommodation. And if you’re unsure about anything mentioned, just contact your nearest Mazda dealer.

Drive safely.