Longer days, school holidays and trips to the beach, the Hunter Valley or family up and down the coast mean a lot more kilometres on the car over summer. Heat and long drives are hard on vehicles, and a breakdown far from home, in holiday traffic, is no one's idea of a good start to a break.
A few minutes of checks before you leave can save a lot of hassle. Here is a simple list for drivers across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter.
Before you leave: a quick car check
- Tyres. Check the pressures when the tyres are cold, using the figures on the placard inside the driver's door or in your owner's manual. Look for good tread, cuts or bulges, and don't forget the spare.
- Battery. Heat is tough on batteries, and an older one can give out with little warning. If yours is a few years old or slow to crank, have it tested before a long trip. If it does go flat, our guide on how to jumpstart a car walks you through it.
- Coolant and oil. With the engine cold, check the coolant and oil levels and top up with the type your manual specifies. Look for leaks under the car where it is usually parked.
- Air conditioning. If it is blowing warm or making odd noises, get it looked at before a long hot drive, especially with kids or pets on board.
- Wipers and lights. Summer storms can roll in fast. Make sure the wipers clear the glass properly and every light works.
- Service due? If a service is close, book it in before you go rather than after.
Pack for the unexpected
- Plenty of drinking water for everyone in the car.
- A phone charger or power bank, so you can still call for help.
- Your roadside or insurance details, written down somewhere other than your phone.
- A torch, a basic first aid kit and a hi-vis vest if you have one.
- Sun protection, in case you end up waiting at the roadside on a hot day.
Towing a caravan, boat or trailer?
Check the trailer as carefully as the car: tyres, wheel bearings, lights, the coupling and safety chains. Stay within your vehicle's towing capacity and load the trailer evenly. A heavy load works the engine, brakes and cooling system harder, especially on hills and in the heat.
Heading off-road or onto the sand?
The Hunter and Port Stephens have some great four-wheel driving, but soft sand and tracks after rain catch people out every summer. Check access rules and any permits before you go, travel with another vehicle where you can, carry recovery gear you know how to use, and follow your vehicle's guidance on tyre pressures for sand. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
If you do get stuck, our 4WD and off-road recovery service covers Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter.
On the road
- Plan regular rest breaks on long drives. Fatigue is a real risk on holiday trips.
- Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, especially in stop-start holiday traffic. If it climbs, pull over safely and let the engine cool. Never open a hot radiator cap.
- Don't let the fuel run low on longer country stretches.
If your car breaks down
- Get as far off the road as you safely can and turn on your hazard lights.
- On a busy road or motorway, if it is safe to do so, get everyone out on the side away from traffic and wait behind a barrier, well clear of the lanes.
- Note where you are: the road, direction of travel and the nearest exit, landmark or marker post.
- Call for help. Our guide to what to do when your car breaks down explains what happens next.
If there has been a crash, our guide to towing after a crash in NSW covers your rights at the scene.
Need help this summer?
NewLake Tow Trucks is available 24/7 across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter. Our roadside assistance helps with flat tyres, dead batteries, lockouts and fuel delivery, and our long-distance towing can get your vehicle home if it lets you down further afield. For an estimate on any tow, try our instant quote tool.
Call or text us on 0403 353 056.
