Road trip essentials for every motorist, car and passenger

It’s time to prepare for those memorable road trips with friends or family. To make things easier, South Africa’s trusted battery specialists have compiled a list of road trip essentials to make sure the holiday is a fun-filled adventure and not a challenge filled disaster.

For families

  1. Pack toys and a tablet
    Your kid’s favourite toys will serve as a distraction from the monotonous “are we there yet?” mantras. A tablet (no, not the headache kind) will also keep them entertained with their favourite games and cartoons. Surprise them by downloading new content, in addition to their favourites. This means you get to focus on the road and getting to your destination safely.
  2. Check out local attractions
    South Africa has many attractions, from caves to waterfalls to incredible wide-open spaces. Make every attraction an adventure. Being a tourist in your own country can be exciting and full of surprises.
  3. Stay COVID-19 safe
    COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere. Remember to always keep your masks on when taking a break at rest-stops. Use sanitiser after touching surfaces and wash hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.


For drivers

  1. Plan ahead
    Map out your journey. This allows you to plan rest-breaks, snack-breaks and schedule power naps to keep you refreshed for the journey ahead.
  2. Get enough sleep
    Well-rested drivers are more alert and focused on the road, and don’t suffer from ‘micro-sleeps’, which can happen when a tired driver dozes off for a few seconds.
  3. Stay hydrated
    Caffeine, coffee and energy drinks are useful to keep drivers going. However, they are also diuretic and can cause dehydration, which leads to feeling faint, weak and loss of concentration. Keep water in the car, it’s a healthy source of hydration and it’s energising.


For your car

  1. Clean your car
    Nobody likes travelling in a dirty car. Have your car cleaned before the journey and keep a bag on hand to collect rubbish.
  2. Check tyres, windscreen and fluid levels
    When filling up your car before leaving, check the tyre pressure. The last thing you need is to unpack the entire boot to get to your spare wheel. Check the fluid levels. If the oil and coolant levels are sufficient, you’ll be set for a hassle-free road trip.
  3. Pack a power bank and a portable jumpstarter
    Keep your devices powered up and ready to use. Power banks reduce the need to use your car’s battery power to charge devices, while the portable jumpstarter keeps you going until you find a First Battery Centre close by. Remember, charged devices will help you in the case of an emergency or if you need to use your devices’ GPS app. You can get a cool power bank at a nearby First Battery Centre when getting your battery tested.


Bonus tip: Have your car battery and alternator checked, for FREE
Check your battery before leaving to prevent unnecessary mishaps on your journey. Visit a First Battery Centre near you, they’ll check your car battery and alternator, for free. If your battery needs replacing, they’ll assist with the right battery for your car model.