Driver Knowledge Tests Menu

Before driving a long distance at fast speed or carrying a full car load, you should: Before driving a long distance at fast speed or carrying a full car load, you should:

  • A. Have a meal and a cup of coffee

  • B. Check your tyre pressure, and if necessary, increase it to what the manufacturer recommends

  • C. Make sure you have a street directory, so you know where you are going

  •  
    The correct answer is B
     
    Correct. Stopping on a freeway is more dangerous, even though there is an emergency lane. There is unlikely to be any where you can address these problems and you will create an unnecessary hazard if you have a preventable issue with your vehicle. It is important to have the correct tyre pressure because freeway speeds are high and incorrect tyre pressure can affect handling and increase the risk of a tyre blowout.
     
 
 
 
 

Taking a long journey on a freeway or motorway

Let's say you're going to drive from Sydney up to the Gold Coast and you've got the best part of a thousand kilometres to do. In that time your engine will do over a million revolutions and each tyre will revolve over 400,000 times. 

Your tyres create heat as they roll over the road surface and this has to be dissipated. The heat is caused by the tyre deforming as it comes into contact with the road. If your tyres are under-inflated then the heat builds up much more quickly because the tyres deform more. Overheating tyres degrade and can delaminate or puncture.

Your engine will be running at fairly constant revolutions and requires lubrication to stop the metal parts from rubbing against one another and overheating. Check your oil using the dipstick in the engine when the engine is cold. This means the oil will have settled at the bottom of the sump and you will be able to get a more accurate reading.

Finally, check your water in your washer fluid bottle in case you need to clean your windscreen.

motorway in Sydney, NSW

If you're taking a long journey you might also want to take some snack food, some liquids (water is best as you don't want to get dehydrated while driving), a map and make sure that your cellphone is fully charged. If you have a USB connection in your car you might be able to charge your phone while driving. It's a good idea to let someone know where you are going, too.