We know the school run can be a busy time, with traffic levels soaring across Ireland. Between uniforms, lunches, and the morning rush, the school run can feel like a full-time job in itself. We’ve compiled some top tips and tricks to help make your school run car journey smoother and stress-free.
Quick car check
Performing a quick car check can save you from getting stuck at the busiest time of the day. If you’ve never done a car check yourself, this guide will help. Some garages run free car checks, which you may find useful.
Quick tip: Wear gloves and old clothes when checking your car tyres and under the bonnet of your car, as the oil and dirt can be difficult to wash off. Before checking the items below, make sure you are parked on a flat surface with a cool engine, ideally before driving the car.
Lights, car, action! - Do a quick check that all lights and indicators are functioning for your daily school run.
Windscreen wipers - Check your blades are functioning well. These usually need to be replaced every 6-12 months. You can find what wipers go with your car here. Be sure to check your windscreen wiper fluid, too.
Tyre tread - Ensure your tyre tread is 3mm or 1.6mm minimum. Run a €1 coin along the depth, and if the gold outer band is not visible, you're in the safe zone.
Tyre pressure - The correct PSI will usually be on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or sometimes inside the fuel cap. But if that’s not there, you can use this tool to find your tyre pressure.
Car wash - Many service stations do discounted car wash days or have apps where you can accumulate a free wash.
Under the bonnet checks
Coolant check - Pop your bonnet and check your coolant levels are topped up. You can find the correct coolant for your car here.
Engine oil check - You will need to find the dipstick to check your oil. This has a brightly coloured ring at the end and is located at the front of your engine.
Pull the dipstick out carefully and wipe any oil off to get an accurate reading. Pop it back in until you hear a click and remove it again. You should now have a fresh level of oil to measure. The safe zone is between the two marks or notches, with the level ideally closer to the top mark.
When topping up the oil, make sure to have a funnel or use the spout provided on the canister. Find the correct oil for your car on this online checker or check your car's manual.
Brake fluid - You’ll see low and maximum markers on the brake fluid container and know if you’ll need to top it up. There are four different kinds of brake fluid, so it’s important to check the cap to see which is the right brake fluid for your vehicle.
Car battery - Check your battery regularly for signs of damage, like corrosion. Most car batteries only last 3 to 5 years before needing replacement. If you notice a slow engine start, dim headlights, or find yourself relying on frequent jump-starts, it’s a clear sign your battery may be on its way out. In newer cars, a warning light will usually appear on the dashboard. Watch this video to learn how to test your battery yourself with a multimeter.
No matter how early we wake up, the rush is real. These tips can help:
- Beat the traffic - Leave early to avoid the heaviest jams. Test different times and routes with Google Maps to find your sweet spot.
- Carpooling - As seen in the hilarious series Motherland, carpooling can save mileage, reduce stress, and give you a morning off from driving. (Hopefully with less drama than Julia’s attempts!)
- Lunch prep - Make school lunches the night before, while dinner is on. You’ll already have the chopping board out, and it saves precious morning minutes.
- Grab and go - Putting everyone's shoes and bags by the door at night is a great way to get everyone out the door in the morning. You can just grab them when it’s time to leave, as you head out the door in the morning.
Sometimes the best thing to do on a car journey is to just relax and have a simple conversation. For those moments when you want a little more, we have just the suggestions for you.
For the kids
- If everyone’s full of energy, maybe an educational music playlist for children could be on the cards.
- Maybe it’s time to get their brain working with some kids' morning quizzes.
- If you’re hearing these songs in your sleep, maybe an audiobook is what you need to keep everyone engaged in the morning traffic and to keep you sane! If the kids are enjoying the stories, this could also be a good bargaining tool to help get everyone in the car at one time!
Once the kids are safely dropped off at school, it’s time for you to get ready for the day ahead. Some ideas for your ears while driving are:
For you:
- Newstalk breakfast show.
- Listen to some mindfulness music or talks.
- Or tune into some popular podcasts – share your favourite with us on social media!
- Feeling like you can’t find the time to read ‘that’ book you keep hearing about, switch on an audiobook.
- Maybe it’s one of those mornings where a laugh is what you need before you enter the office or a Teams call.
Let us know what your go-to morning listen is over on our socials.
You might be wondering what type of car insurance is best for you. Between traffic, tired kids, and the morning rush, accidents can happen. That’s why OUTsurance Comprehensive Car Insurance can include optional extras like Child Car Seat Cover and a Courtesy Car - giving you one less thing to worry about on the school run.
As you might have seen in our OUTsurance 2025 Car Running Cost Guide article, the depreciation and maintenance of your car can quickly add up. Many parents find that mixing in different transport options to their school run can help reduce costs over time, and can be a fun way to get out on a family cycle or walk, where possible.
The school run might never be your favourite part of the day, bringing a little extra chaos - uniform malfunctions, heavy traffic, and those last-minute forgotten lunches, but with a bit of prep and some smart habits, it can be a smoother and far less stressful morning routine.
And if the chaos still has you feeling frazzled, remember that OUTsurance Car Insurance is designed to give parents peace of mind on every school run. We’ll cover the car insurance so you can focus on the rest, getting everyone out the door with matching shoes on. See how much you could save on your car insurance with OUTsurance. Give us a call on (01) 512 6200 or start a free car insurance quote right here today.
The information in this article is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It does not, and is not intended to, provide legal or technical advice or to represent a legal interpretation of the matters it addresses.