Getting your car cleaned might sound like an unnecessary extravagance before a big road trip, but according to one expert, it could prevent an accident.
As the nation prepares for the school holidays with staycations and day trips across the summer, road trips are top of the agenda. To avoid the cries of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ from the backseat, we plan everything we need to keep the peace and pass the time, from tasty snacks to games of I Spy and car music. But there is one thing Brits tend to overlook.
Dirty cars are one of the biggest bugbears for drivers, but just one in five families (18%) will get their car washed ahead of a trip, with one in 20 of us admitting to not being bothered to wash their motor at all, according to new research of 2,000 adults by IMO Car Wash.
But, cleaning your car can make a big difference, according to an expert, who says that it can help avoid accidents and keep your family safe. While it can’t prevent the inevitable British traffic, it can help you reach your destination without hiccups.
“It may sound simple, but washing your car before a road trip could help ensure your road trip goes smoothly,” Justin Hall, Director of Engineering at IMO Car Wash says.
“Dirt, mud, and salt can cling to your vehicle when you travel. Washing your car before you set off on the road will rinse off any harmful grime and ensure your car’s paintwork is not damaged before it’s too late.”
“Cleaning your car is also crucial for your safety when on the road. Car windows, mirrors, and tyres should be free from dirt, if not, they could hamper your vision when driving or even how your car functions,” Hall continued.
It’s also important to keep your car in tip-top condition after a long journey too, as less than five per cent of Brits bother with a good clean when they return home.
This could be putting them and their family at risk of an accident or a breakdown, according to Hall.
“Washing your car via an automated car wash takes just a matter of minutes but will go a long way to ensuring a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable road trip this summer – even if we get stuck in traffic,” he added.
The research also revealed that playing and singing along to music is one of the most enjoyable parts of road trips for three quarters of Brits, with eating snacks (61%) and playing games (43%) also topping the list as the most favourite ways to pass the time while travelling.
The Top 5 Road Trip Songs Revealed
Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Fast Car’– Tracy Chapman
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
For a perfect summer clean-up ahead of your next getaway, any new app users can claim £3 towards their first two washes this summer. Download here
New users can also claim £1 off triple foam for their first two washes by using the code ROADTRIP1. For further information, please visit the website here: https://www.imocarwash.com
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