As your family grows, so too will the demands on your vehicle. The car you drove quite comfortably as a couple might soon be unfit for purpose, especially if you intend to have several kids and a dog or two.
So, what factors might we consider when shopping for a family car, or modifying an existing car to meet the needs of a growing family? Let’s take a look at a few of the more significant ones.
EVALUATING SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Perhaps the most obvious thing to think about, here, is the space you’ll need to accommodate everyone. Think not just about the people you’ll be transporting, but extra items of luggage, like pushchairs, suitcases, and booster seats.
Look for cars that offer fold-down seating in the rear. Make sure to look at the quality of that seating, too: some vehicles offer much more room than others, thanks to the way that the furniture can be manipulated.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CHECKS
When you’re entrusting the safety of your family to any machine, then making sure that the machine is functioning properly should be considered a priority. Stay on top of regular maintenance and checks. Make a habit of inflating the tyres every month. Know how to top up your oil levels, and recognise the signs of failing brakes.
You can also replace the tyres entirely every so often. Look for a trustworthy vendor that’s local to you, and get new ones fitted. If you’re in Derbyshire, for example, you might look for tyres in Chesterfield.
ENHANCING SAFETY FEATURES
More modern cars come with more comprehensive and sophisticated safety features. Automatic lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and assisted braking might all make the difference when you’re involved in a collision. You can get the best of your safety features by checking and testing them regularly.
CHILD SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
In the UK, children who are younger than twelve or under 135 centimetres tall must wear a child car seat. These seats must be rear-facing until your child is fifteen months old. You can only install these seats if there’s a diagonal strap available (unless the seat is designed for lap belts, or for ISOFIX anchor points).
While you can put a rear-facing baby seat in the front, you must deactivate the front airbag in order to do this safely. The government has published a detailed breakdown of child car seats regulations which ensure your child’s safety.
KEEPING YOUR CAR ORGANISED
When you’re transporting a family around, it’s easy for the car to become messy – particularly if you’re not, by inclination, a tidy person. Get into the habit of cleaning the car once every so often, and forbid your children from eating in the back. If they’re hungry on long trips, you can stop somewhere and avoid the crumbs. As far as entertainment goes, it’s usually best to create little desks that can sit across the kids’ laps. This way, you can avoid toys being strewn everywhere.