Tips for travelling by car

1. Check the oil, coolant and brake fluid levels

The levels of oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid should then be checked under the bonnet.

2. Check the brake pads

Check for wiper rubbers and the wear marks on the brake pads. It is also important to ensure that safety vests are available for all passengers.

3. It is best to test vehicle lighting in pairs

The best way to do this is in pairs: when the ignition is activated, one turns on all the lights one after the other, from the parking light to the rear fog light. The other person looks outside to see if everything works - don't forget the brake light.

4. Load heavy luggage at the bottom of the trunk

If the car is fit enough, it can be loaded - but please with a system. The most important rule is: stow heavy objects close to the back seat back and as low as possible in the trunk. This keeps the center of gravity low and the cornering behavior is less affected. Under no circumstances should heavy luggage belong in a roof box. If the load is additionally secured in the trunk with lashing straps, it cannot slip during full braking or an evasive maneuver and cause the car to skid.

5.  Do not load the luggage compartment too high

No luggage should be stowed on the parcel shelf or anywhere else in the vehicle interior. Suitcases and boxes could be thrown around in an accident and become dangerous to the occupants. For the same reason, drivers should never load the luggage compartment of their cars higher than the top edge of the rear seat and mount a sturdy load compartment partition grille or a high-quality luggage net.

6. Note the permitted vehicle weight in the vehicle registration document

When it comes to packing suitcases, vacationers think best of all that you can't have an infinite number of extra kilos in the car. The vehicle registration document shows how much load a car can handle. 

7. Do not push the car's load limit

The general rule is that it is better not to push the load limit of a car. Because the more extra kilos are on board, the more unsafe a car will be. In addition, the braking distance is extended and fuel consumption increases.