A long road trip should be fun, but not if you’ve ignored the right measures to get your vehicle prepared for that lengthy journey. It’s scary enough to think of a vehicle meltdown in your local neighborhood. But, nothing can top that than having your vehicle crash down in the middle of nowhere.
There are certain measures you can take before you leave for your dream vacation. Here are quick tips on getting your car ready for a long road trip.
Before you leave
Make sure your vehicle’s system is fine-tuned and operating at peak performance levels.
Check your car’s fluids
There are seven fluids you need to check on your vehicle, namely to ensure your engine stays atop on its game:
- Oil
- Transmission fluid
- Radiator coolant
- Steering fluid
- Breaking fluid
- Windshield fluid
- Air conditioning coolant
Add additional volume or replace fluids if they’ve been burnt or dirtied with environmental particles.
Inspect air filter and replace it if necessary
By standard, you should change air filters every 12,000 miles to avoid having it packed with dust. Dirty air filters will clog your injectors and engine sensors, thus, pumping your gas even more.
Inspect spark plugs
If you have problems starting your car, check your spark plugs. Look for dirt, grime, residue, corrosion, or gaps around and between the electrodes.
Check your tires
Inspect if your tires are under-inflated or over-inflated. Rolling resistance on the road can lead to early wear and tear. Always include your spares during maintenance. You don’t want to end up replacing old tires with bad ones. What’s more, make sure your wheels have been properly rotated and aligned before hitting the road.
Test the lights if they’re working
Some states considered it illegal to drive a vehicle with broken lights as it could pose road problems and accidents. Test your lights and see if you can have them serviced before driving at dawn.
Clean your battery
Environmental particles can easily creep under your vehicle’s hood and spoil the battery. This can cause problems such as cracked battery cases and corroded ones. In addition, you can check for loose connections and secure the wires together. If you find your battery leaking under the hood, it’s time to make a replacement.
Test your shocks
If your drive is bouncing more than usual, it might be a glitch on your shocks. Another indication of having a worn-out shock system is when your vehicle’s hood dips when you brake or accelerate.
