FAMILIES who drive to see relatives at Christmas do an average of 115 miles, so it pays to be prepared.
The RAC puts the price of fuel at around £23, but the whole cost could easily run to more if things go wrong.
Get road-ready with these simple, money-saving tips
Get road-ready with these simple, money-saving tips . . .
CHECK, MATE: It’s a good time to join the one million drivers who have signed up to Halfords Motoring Club.
You get a free ten-point car check, saving £15.
Pack a breakdown kit, such as the Auto XS, £19.99, from Aldi, which has a hazard- warning triangle, tow rope, booster cables, foot pump, gloves and torch.
DE-ICE ICE BABY: A TikTok video’s doing the rounds showing drivers defrosting windscreens using a carrier bag filled with hot water.
But Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, warns that using red-hot water, rather than warm, could crack windscreens.
Instead, to de-ice windows, he suggests mixing three parts vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle.
JAM-PROOF YOUR JOURNEY: You may not be able to avoid traffic queues altogether, but you can make sure that you’re prepared to sit it out.
Take entertainment for the kids, a fully charged phone, extra layers of clothing and food and drink.
Keep a couple of blankets in the car — like Wilko’s pink fleece one, down from £4.50 to £2.
Pack heated handwarmers in case you break down and have to sit at the side of the road.
Halfords has a value pack of five pairs of Hot Hands handwarmers, down from £4 to £3.20.
FUEL FOR THOUGHT: Petrol prices are ramping up money worries this Christmas.
But there are things you can do to pay less.
Register at petrolprices.com or confused.com/petrol-prices to find the best-value fuel near you. Check supermarket pumps, too.
Asda recently cut petrol by an average 4.5p a litre, diesel by 5.5p, according to the RAC.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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