Spring driving tips

Check your tyre pressure

Cooler weather tends to cause a drop in tyre pressure, so as things warm up in spring, it’s a good idea to check tyre pressure to help keep you safe on the roads.

Pollen issues

Spring means an increase in flowers and pollen, and for some people that means hay fever, with sneezing, runny noses, and eyes! It can help to keep your car clean and dust free and use the re-circulated air mode instead of letting air in from outside.

As part of your regular vehicle service, this is a good time of year to make sure the cabin air filter is in good working condition.

Prepare for potholes

Fluctuations in temperature that occur in spring can cause potholes to form on the road. Keep plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you, so you can observe potholes or other road hazards.

Potholes can damage your suspension, rims, or cause a flat tyre. You can lose control of your car and get into an accident by driving over an unexpected pothole.

If you can’t avoid potholes completely, drive as slowly as possible, keeping both hands on the steering wheel and don’t slam your brakes.

Avoid driving through large puddles

Even if water on the road isn’t considered flooding, its best to avoid driving through puddles, as they could be concealing potholes. When in doubt, simply don’t drive through floods of any kind. Instead, turn around and find another route.

Always check the weather forecast.

Stay informed about weather along your driving route. If you’re in an area you’re not familiar with, tune into a local radio station to check weather updates in-transit.

Electric Vehicle (EV) specific tips

• Charging – when it comes to plugging your EV into its charge point, it’s equally as safe to charge an EV in a downpour as it is to drive in one. EV chargers are built with protective layers to keep moisture out.
• Potholes – EV batteries are housed towards the bottom of the car, so damage can be caused to the vehicle’s battery and suspension if you hit a pothole disguised as a puddle.
• Don’t drive through water levels you’re unsure of – Although EV batteries are sealed, there is still risk that water will damage your vehicle if submerged for extended periods.

Maintain your regular service schedule

Fleet vehicle drivers should always ensure routine maintenance is completed. If you have any concerns regarding the drivability of your vehicle, book it into a dealership or service centre to be inspected.

Contact Custom Fleet roadside assistance

Australia: 1300 139 555

New Zealand: 0800 453 274

Downloads

You can download our spring driving tips in PDF form:

For Australia (203KB, PDF)

For New Zealand (171KB, PDF)