Driving home for Christmas is more than just a catchy song (which more than likely is now stuck in your head, sorry), it’s an important and potential tricky finale to the year. The last thing you want, when you are so close to being able to relax, enjoy the festive season and spend some quality time with your family, is to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere. So, to avoid a pesky breakdown ruining your Christmas, here are some top tips to keep you, and your car, in the festive spirit.
Car care
While it’s important all year round, the festive period is one time you definitely want your car to be in tip-top condition before making any important journeys – even for any minor ones, too. Wintry roads can prove difficult at the best of times, you don’t want your car adding to that difficulty.
A quick checklist to keep in mind when giving your car the old once over:
- Tyres – make sure they’re inflated to the correct pressure (you’ll find a guide on a white sticker in your front passenger door frame, in the vehicle’s glovebox, or in the vehicle handbook). Tyre tread should be at least 3mm in depth (the outer band depth of a 20p coin if you want to measure at home) so that they perform optimally in any wintry weather.
- Windscreen wipers – make sure they’re cleaned so that no grit stays trapped between the wipers and the front or rear windscreen, as it could scratch the glass when the wipers are activated, or just leave some unbelievably annoying smears.
- Fuel, oil and antifreeze – ensure that all of these are topped up before you travel and make sure you have enough for any unexpected detours en route.
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In the boot
Keep emergency items, such as a torch, a shovel, two warning triangles, a hi-vis vest and a first aid kit, in the boot of the car in case you have to stop your car on the hard shoulder or road verge due to severe weather. The shovel will be especially useful if you come back to your car after your visit and it’s been a white Christmas – you’ll need to clear that snow to begin the journey back home.
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Pack the car efficiently
Even if you might be planning on only staying for one night, it can be easy to forget that you’ll be transporting your Christmas pressies back with you! Make sure you leave enough space for some extra goodies for your return trip, especially if your family is prone to some overblown gift giving. If your car is stuffed full, make sure to use every possible space to securely pack in your new stuff. Store any bags in the boot, or the rear passenger area in the foot wells, so that its contents don’t spill across the seating area with any sharp turns the car makes. Equally, you don’t want the rear passenger seats overloaded with luggage, which can obstruct your rear windscreen view.
Prepare yourself
Driving puts physical demands on the body, especially if you have to travel across country, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep before your day of travel (typically – seven to eight hours). Keep your energy levels up by eating nutritious food and hydrating in the hours before you start your drive. Plus, you should bring snacks and fluids for the journey, as well as storing – two to four litres of bottled water, and dry, calorie-rich snacks, in case you’re ever in the car for longer than planned for. Make sure to plan out your stops, and, if you have a second driver, make sure to switch regularly (plus that means everyone gets to oversee the music).
Enjoy the drive – and keep in touch
Driving longer journeys can be a daunting thought, but you’ll enjoy the drive much more with your favourite festive tunes playing in the background – but be sure to keep an ear to the car radio from time to time for live traffic updates that could impact your journey.
And just be sure to let those at your destination know when you expect to arrive. And if you’re unexpectedly delayed, take a rest stop and call to let anyone waiting on your arrival know.
Most importantly, stay safe and take your time. Being a little late is 100 times better than rushing, getting stuck/breaking down, and missing the festivities entirely.
For more wintry must-haves, check out all of our winter essentials here.
Have a wonderful Christmas and drive safe!
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