Repco Road Trip Guide
Road Trip Ready: Your Repco Essentials for your Bathurst 1000 Journey
Planning a road trip to the iconic Bathurst 1000? Whether you’re a traveller, a camper or both, Repco has everything you need to make your journey smooth, safe and unforgettable. Here’s your go-to checklist for essentials to grab before you hit the road.
1. Tyres
There are two areas that you should check on your tyres before setting out on a road trip:
A) Visual inspection & tyre condition:
A close visual inspection of your tyres to check for uneven wear, cracks in the rubber, nails or objects embedded in the tread or minimal tread depth (legal minimum is 1.6mm). You should rectify these prior to any journey to provide the confidence of minimising tyre blowouts or punctures.
B) Tyre pressures:
Tyre pressures should also be checked, and if necessary - adjusted to ensure tyres are evenly inflated. You should also ensure your tyre pressures are inflated to the correct pressure based on what you are doing with your car. This means the type of trip (short drives, road trips, etc) and what you might be carrying (full load of passengers, towing a caravan, etc).
REPCO TOP TIP: Most cars will have a tyre placard stamped to the door sill or in the glovebox with the recommended standard tyre pressures. Having correctly inflated tyres helps maximise fuel economy, reduces rolling resistance and can maximise safety benefits of grip and handling.
Ensure your car is race-ready for the long haul:
Tyres & Air Compressors: Check your tyres for tread depth and pressure, plus grab a portable air compressor for on-the-go adjustments.
Jump Starters & Battery Chargers: Be prepared for unexpected battery issues with reliable jump starters and chargers.
2. Lights
Make sure you conduct a visual inspection of all your external lights before setting off on a road trip. If a globe isn't working, pop into your nearest Repco store or shop online here.
You can check your external lights by enlisting the help of a family member or a mate to help visually cite a light is working or not working, or to press the brake pedal/flick the indicators on and off so you can check that lights are functioning as they should.
REPCO TOP TIP: Here is a basic list of lights to check - headlights (low-beam), headlights (high-beam), fog lights (if fitted), parker lights, daytime running headlights (if fitted), indicators (front, side and rear), brake lights and reversing lights.
Note: you may have more lights fitted to your vehicle, such as 4WD driving lights, spot lights, etc which will need to be checked as well, so it's best to write down a list of lights on your car and go through them systematically so you don't forget a light.
3. Fluid Levels
You should pop the bonnet up, and check and top up the main fluids prior to going on a long road trip. You may want to check your oil, coolant and transmission fluid, and if necessary - top these up. Repco stocks a large range of oils, coolants and transmission fluids, as well as additives (if necessary) which can be purchased in store or online.
REPCO TOP TIP: Cars will have specific types of oil, coolant and transmission fluid you will need to put in. Use Repco's Rego Search online or the team at your local store to find the recommended oil type.
Also check that you have enough windscreen washer fluid and water in your reservoir, and if necessary - you can pick up a bottle of windscreen washer fluid at Repco.
Repco also stocks a wide range of oil, coolant and fuel filler caps to ensure all fluids in your car are sealed properly. It also helps to visually check your oil, coolant and fuel pump lines/hoses for any leaks. Oil or coolant puddles underneath your car are also an indication that there could be a leak that you should get checked out.
4. Brakes and Wheel Bearings
If possible, it's also a good idea to get your car up on some jacks for an hour or two to avoid an unnecessary stoppage or incident while on a long drive. This also applies to any caravan or trailer you may be towing as these can spend months at a time idle prior to your trip and need suitable attention to avoid catastrophes.
On a solid and level surface raise each wheel off the ground and rotate the wheel to listen for any grinding or unusual noises. Also hold the wheel at the top and bottom and attempt to wiggle the wheel to see if any slop or looseness in the wheel bearings are present.
If no slop or unusual noises are present, then lower the vehicle or trailer down and loosen the wheel nuts. Raise the vehicle once again and brace with axle stands. Removing the wheel will give you a chance to visually check the condition of the brake pads and brake rotors as well as any loose or worn steering or suspension components.
REPCO TOP TIP: If anything looks out of order or requires attention but you don’t have the confidence to fix it yourself it pays to book your vehicle in to your local mechanic for a professional service to give you the greatest peace of mind.
5. Road Trip Comfort and Convenience
Keeping you and your passengers in tip-top comfort during long road trips is just as important as conducting checks on your car. Repco has a range of coolers to keep food and drink fresh; comfort accessories to make long drives more comfortable and organisers to keep everything in their place:
Back Seat Cooler: Keep drinks and snacks chilled for the road and within easy reach.
Comfort Accessories: Cushions for support to make the long drive comfortable and enjoyable.
Organisers: Practical boot organisers and handy holders keep your gear, drink bottles, and sunglasses neatly in place, so you can focus on the road and the adventure ahead.
6. Safety and Emergency Equipment
Lastly, ensure you have a variety of safety and emergency equipment, which may come in handy in the event of an incident, accident or a breakdown. Basics that every car should have include: first aid kits, warning triangle and a toolkit.
If you're planning on driving long distances or going off-roading you should also consider: water (20 litres emergency use and 4 litres per person, per day), extra food, fire extinguisher, additional spare wheels, tow rope, shovel, toilet paper, matches/lighters, maps, compass, GPS and either a satellite phone or communication equipment where mobile phones may not work.
REPCO TOP TIP: Make sure you have additional accessories like ropes, harnesses ratchet straps, animal harnesses/seatbelts to ensure any large/bulky objects or animals travelling with you are safety secured.
Stay safe on and off the road:
First Aid Kits: A must for any traveller to handle minor injuries.
Emergency Roadside Supplies:Reflective triangles, gloves, and basic breakdown tools.
Dash Cameras: Capture your journey and add an extra layer of safety on the road with reliable dash cameras.
Mobile Phone Holders: Keep your phone secure and within easy view to help with hands-free calls and navigation, ensuring safer driving.
If you want to stand out from the crowd and strut your way to the Mount Panorama, click here to view Repco's Bathurst Merch.
