As families across South Africa start preparing for the annual festive-season getaway, most motorists have already ticked off the usual pre-trip checks: tyre pressure, oil, coolant and brake fluid levels, spare wheel condition, lights, and windscreen wipers. These are the fundamental steps to making sure your car is safely set for the journey ahead.
But what if the unexpected happens? What if you find yourself stranded in a remote area, far from help, without immediate access to water, warmth, or battery power? According to Juan Hanekom, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), this is the moment when the less obvious essentials could make all the difference.
“Most people take care of the mechanical basics before they travel, which is encouraging,” says Hanekom. “But safety on the road also means preparing for the unpredictable. A few simple, lightweight…
