Avoiding breakdown problemsTips and advice from Day-tripper.net and the main breakdown insurance companies  - Advice from Green Flag. www.greenflag.com
"It's natural that shoppers want to make the most of the opportunity to buy cheap booze abroad, but overloading can make vehicles susceptible to breakdown and dangerous to drive." "The amount of goods Customs allow before they start asking questions is now quite high - 120 litres of wines and spirits and 110 litres of beer but it is also very heavy. This allowance for one person would weigh around 360 kilograms, so if two average weight adults each brought this amount they could overload a typical family saloon by over 70 per cent." Green Flag offer the following advice: * Don't overload your vehicle * Drive slower and allow more stopping distance between you and the car in front, as the extra weight makes it harder to brake quickly * Check your headlight adjustment. A fully laden boot will make the beam point too high * Do not pile boxes behind people's heads. They will cause an obstruction and could be dangerous if you have to brake suddenly * Do not stack too many boxes over the rear axle. It will add a disproportionate weight to the back of the vehicle and could damage the suspension.  - Advice from Autonational Rescue. www.autonational.co.uk
Think about carrying the top 16 most useful items in your car this winter. Namely: - Scraper - De-icer - Working torch - Folding shovel - Suitable gloves - A bag of sand or grip mat - Warning triangle - A fluorescent jacket (now a legal requirement) - Map (or sat nav!) - Tow and battery-jumping cables and - First aid kit - Mobile phone with your car breakdown insurance number in your contacts list. - An emergaency HELP sign to put in the back window. - A blanket for when its cold - A plastic raincoat or windbreaker - Plan a route beforehand so that you know where you are when you breakdown. Avoid breakdowns in the first place - Many of these types of breakdowns, in particular running out of fuel and battery problems, are easily avoidable with a little thought and care beforehand. Some basic safety checks on your car’s tyres, lights, battery, indicators, water or oil levels will prevent many of the most common causes of a breakdown. - Look after your car’s battery and it will look after your car (most breakdown's are battery related). - Don’t run out of fuel, one of the most avoidable but also the most common causes of breakdown. Check your fuel gauge at the start of each winter journey, just in case you get stuck in traffic and need longer to get home than normal. - Check your car’s radiator for any visible signs of damage or leaks, as well as low water levels, which can and do lead to overheating and breakdown. - Get into the habit of making a monthly check of your car, especially in the Autumn (Flat batteries in winter are a common problem). - Check the windscreen water levels, and in winter use an appropriate product with anti freeze in it. Very dirty windscreens which you cannot clean may force you to stop. - Look out for other mechanical or electrical faults, such as damaged exhausts, loose or corroded wires. - Check your lights, brake lights, indicators (you can reverse up to a wall or garage door to check your own lights). In bad driving conditions you may be mistaken for a motorbike if you are not clearly visible. - Check oil levels, especially before and after long journeys. Carry a can of oil just in case. - Check tyre tread and pressures (and adjust pressures when you’re carrying extra luggage). - Ensure you have adequate car breakdown cover and the emergency number with you.  - RAC. Advice from the RAC. www.rac.co.uk
There are two levels of cover available with RAC European Breakdown Cover Basic cover Essential cover for anyone taking their vehicle to Europe for trips of up to five days. Cover includes: - Roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown - Garage labour up to the value of £150 - Repatriation for you, your passengers and your vehicle to the United Kingdom * Cover is available at a standard premium for vehicles aged less than six years old, carrying up to five people (including the driver) in Zone 1 countries. Older vehicles, additional passengers, vehicles towing caravans or trailers and vehicles travelling to Zone 2 countries will also be covered subject to the payment of the appropriate supplements. * Repatriation benefit is subject to an excess of £250 Comprehensive cover More extensive cover from the time you leave your United Kingdom address until you return. Cover includes: - Roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown in the United Kingdom and Europe - Up to £40 per day to cover the costs of a hire car should your car breakdown on your way to the United Kingdom port and can't be repaired Whilst abroad: - Garage labour up to the value of £150 - Additional accommodation costs of up to £40 per person per night while your car is being repaired - Up to £1,200 to cover the costs for you to continue your journey or return home to the United Kingdom. - Arrangement of a replacement driver in the event of the qualified driver being taken ill - Repatriation for you, your passengers and your vehicle to the United Kingdom. - Up to £500 of travel expenses if it is necessary for you to leave vehicle abroad for repair and collection at a later date Cover is available at a standard premium for vehicles aged less than six years old, carrying up to five people (including the driver) in Zone 1 countries. Older vehicles, additional passengers, vehicles towing caravans or trailers and vehicles travelling to Zone 2 countries will also be covered subject to the payment of appropriate supplements. | 
- Automobile Association. Breakdown cover for France and Europe. Tel: 0800 085 7253 / 0161 495 8945. 
- Breakdown Direct. Tel: 0800 389 5424. 
- Britannia Rescue. Tel: 0800 59156. 
- Direct Line. Tel: 0845 246 8702. 
- ETA Breakdown Insurance (Environmental Transport Association). 
- Europe Assistance. Tel: 01444 442 211. 
- First Call Rescue. 
- GEM Motoring Assistance. 
- IC Breakdown Insurance. 
- Kwik Fit Breakdown Insurance. 
- More Th<n. 
- Rescue my Car breakdown Insurance. 
- The Green Insurance Company. 
- Start Rescue. 
- Total Rescue. 
- Vehicle Rescue. Tel: 01603 464 123. 
- The AA. Travel insurance 
- Say NO to 0870.