Town driving forgives a lot. The engine never works hard for long, speeds stay low, and help is never far away. A motorway changes all of that — sustained high speed, heat, and long gaps between services. It magnifies every small neglect into a real problem, often miles from anywhere.
The night before
- Tyres: set pressures to the loaded figure (check the sticker in the door shut or fuel-cap flap), inspect tread and sidewalls, and don't forget the spare or the repair kit
- Fluids: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screenwash all at their marks
- Lights: headlights, indicators, brake lights and hazards — walk around with someone pressing the pedal
- Wipers and washers: clear glass matters far more at 70 mph than at 30
- Brakes: no new noises, no soft pedal, no pulling to one side
The emergency kit
Pack it once and leave it in the boot. You'll rarely need it, and you'll be very glad it's there the one time you do:
- A hi-vis vest for everyone in the car, and a warning triangle (note: don't use a triangle on a motorway — get behind the barrier instead)
- A tyre inflator and a puncture repair kit
- Jump leads or a portable jump-starter
- A torch, some water and a basic first-aid kit
- Your breakdown cover number saved in your phone and written down
On the road
Take a proper break every two hours or so — Highway Code advice, and good for the car too. A quick walk-around at the services to glance at the tyres and look for any leak under the engine takes thirty seconds and catches trouble early. Motorway breakdowns are almost always the loud finish to a quiet problem that began days before.