The dangers of overloading your car

With flying becoming a big no no for those wanting to restrict their carbon emissions, more and more of us are choosing to take our holidays a little closer to home these days. Millions of Brits are crossing the channel and driving to sunny French destinations because, whilst cars aren't the ideal solution, they are still better than flying in most instances.

In the days and hours before you set off on your summer holiday, you are sure to be checking that you have everything you are going to need. Clothes for every weather scenario, no matter how unlikely. A variety of medicine that will combat most common illnesses - and some uncommon ones too. Oh, and mustn't forget the passports.

However, there is one other quite substantial thing which you must make sure is all ready to go on holiday too, and that is your car. The first thing you should do is check your car insurance documentation to ensure that you are covered to drive in Europe. If you can't find the information or you aren't certain, give your cheap car insurance company a call and they should be able to confirm whether or not your motor insurance policy includes European driving cover.

The next thing to check is that your car is in a roadworthy state, as breaking down at the side of a French motorway really isn't all that fun, believe it or not. Plus if you do break down and your car can't be fixed at the side of the road, it could land you in a difficult situation when it comes to getting all the possessions you so carefully packed into the car to your destination.

It is also vital to take your driving documentation with you, as you may be asked to produce it if stopped by French police or you are involved in an accident. Pack your cheap car insurance certificate, the original vehicle registration document and your driving licence - the paper version plus the photocard, if you have it.

Now you think you are almost set - but you aren't quite. It is understandable that you might be fed up of the pre-holiday preparation rigmarole after going through all this packing and checking, but there is one more step you have to take so that you can holiday worry free. The one last thing to check is how much all your holiday gear weighs, as overloading your car could be bad news for your holiday - and for your cheap car insurance.

If you put too much weight in your car, you could actually cause serious engine damage to your vehicle because the engine has to work so much harder to counteract the forces when braking and steering. This leaves you with that none-too-pleasant outcome of standing by the French motorway again. An overworked engine could also be very expensive to fix, something which may bode poorly for your cheap car insurance rates should you need to claim over it.

However, engine damage isn't the only potentially harmful result of carrying excessive weight in your car. Roof racks are a popular way of carrying extra suitcases or more bulky items, but if they are not packed carefully then their weight and shape can cause the centre of gravity of your car to shift. This raises the likelihood of a loss of control and a roll over, especially if the vehicle you drive is a 4x4.

Other effects of stuffing your car to the brim with your belongings is that your visibility may be restricted and, if the items are not secured properly, they could cause injury to you or your passengers should you need to brake quickly - neither of which are good for your chances of keeping your cheap car insurance premium intact.

So before you leave on your summer holiday, it is worth making a quick calculation as to how much weight your car will be carrying - and don't forget to add the approximate weight of passengers in there too. Compare this figure to your car's weight chart, which you should be able to find in its handbook. If it appears to be overloaded or very close to the maximum load, take out some heavy and non-essential items - and no, not your passengers!

 

 

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