While the pandemic doesn’t seem to be going anywhere quickly, many of us are still getting itchy feet and hoping to get out on the road to see the country. One of the best ways to see the country is through the windows of your car going down the highway. Plus, traveling with your only household and camping outdoors is one of the safest ways to get out there still.
Many people also report road trip vacations as some of the happiest times of their lives. But road trips can put a lot of wear and tear on vehicles, and the last thing you want is to get stuck on the side of the highway. Here are some things car owners should look for to get their vehicles ready for the road.
Fluids
Every car has six essential fluids that need to be checked and changed at different intervals. These fluids are oil, radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield fluid. Absolutely each of these fluids has a different level of importance: running out of oil, brake, or transmission fluid can total your car, whereas running out of windshield fluid isn’t going to do much damage. So, the best practice is to change all the fluids and bring some extra to top up as needed.
Check tires
Uninflated tires waste gas. Check your tire pressure roughly every 1000 miles. Tires also need to be rotated every 5000-8000 miles to help them last longer. Once you hit 25,000-50,000 miles, it’s time to think about replacing them altogether. Take a look at your treads and the pressure levels regularly since these are just gauges – anything can happen to accelerate these timelines, such as punctures and heat.
Test Lights, Brakes, A/C
Before going anywhere, be sure to run basic tests on all the car’s functions from the driver’s seat. Try out all the different light settings with somebody standing out to see that they’re all working. Take a drive around the neighborhood, paying attention to the brakes. You should have the brake pads checked anyways, but if there is any squealing or non-responsiveness, it could be a red flag. Also, be sure to check the air conditioner because a road trip without A/C is like taking the trip from being a vacation into a nightmare.
Renew All Your Car Documents and Pack the Essentials
Finally, you’ll want to make sure your car is cleaned out and all of your documents (insurance, registration, etc.) are up-to-date. Your packing should also include a roadside emergency kit, as well as some extra oils and fluids for topping up.
Get a Tune-Up
Brake pads, air filters, light bulbs, belts, and hoses must be checked and changed at regular intervals outlined in your manufacturer’s guide. Your mechanic will also have a guide for how and when to replace or repair these parts. These may all be small parts that may seem like a pain, but your car works hard on the road, and skipping any one of these little components will make it work harder and, eventually, not at all.
It’s a lot of work to get a vehicle ready for a road trip, and it’s definitely not worth risking ruining the trip by getting any of it wrong. Reach out to a mechanic in your area like McKinney Motor Company to get your car serviced before hitting the road to make sure all you have to think about is having a good time.
