Going on a road trip can be an exciting adventure. It offers travelers a sense of freedom by allowing them to explore destinations at their own pace and create memories. But, proper planning is necessary to ensure a successful road trip. Besides determining the routes and pit stops, one must also ensure that one’s vehicle is well-maintained for the long trip. Several factors must be considered to ensure one’s automobile functions smoothly throughout the journey.
1. Check the oil and fluid levels
Fluids are one of the most essential components of a car. Before going on a road trip, make sure to include these checks to avoid serious mechanical issues.
- Oil change: To prepare one’s car for long trips, check whether the oil is at the correct level and if it is fresh. An oil change is essential for the engine, especially when traveling to faraway places when it must remain active for longer periods.
- Coolant: Another essential car check before a road trip is the coolant level. Low coolant levels can make the engine overheat, eventually damaging key engine components. So, adjusting the coolant levels before long journeys is important for the passengers’ safety.
- Brake fluid: It is also important to examine the brake fluid level to ensure the vehicle’s and its passengers’ security and avoid accidents.
- Transmission fluid: When there is clean and sufficient transmission fluid, gear changes will be smooth, and the component will not overheat.
- Windshield washer fluid: To maintain proper visibility while driving, add more fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
2. Inspect the tires and brakes
Pre-road trip vehicle inspection must also involve checking the brakes and tires. It is important to do the following checks.
- Tire Pressure: Appropriately inflated tires boost fuel efficiency and improve safety and handling. So, make sure to check the tire pressure of the main tires and the spare ones before the trip.
- Tread Depth: When the weather is bad on a road trip—such as when there is snow or rain—worn-out tires can compromise traction. This is why it is important to examine the tread depth of all tires.
- Brakes: When preparing the car for a road trip, a professional should check and inspect the brakes. All parts of the braking system, including the brake pads, rotors, and calipers, must function efficiently.
3. Examine the battery
A commonly overlooked aspect of long-distance driving car preparation is forgetting to check the battery. The battery should be working efficiently to ensure that the radio, engine, charging ports, WiFi hotspots, as well as air conditioning and heating system start and function properly. So, before any long road trip, make sure to inspect the battery thoroughly. This should include a cleanup of the terminals, securing the battery, and trying out heavy loads on it to accurately evaluate its ability to deliver power under demanding conditions.
4. Ensure the lights and signals are working properly
One of the top car maintenance tips for road trips is to check all the lights and signals. Before starting the trip, ensure that every headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light is working properly. All the visibility and signaling is important to ensure a safe driving experience. Besides, a car can be pulled over for having a burnt-out blinker, taillight, or headlight. This means an unnecessary and inconvenient disruption to the road trip. A useful way to check the performance of the lights is to turn on the car and leave it in park mode. Then, switch on the headlights and take a walk around the car to check whether any bulb is burnt out. Repeat the same process for the right and left turn signals. Hold the brake pedal with a brick while the car is still parked. This way, one can assess the condition of the brake lights.
5. Check the belts and hoses
Car readiness for extended travel involves looking under the hood thoroughly. This means checking all the belts and hoses. Press all the belts down to ensure that they are buckling properly. The belts should only have a small amount of slack to function properly. If the car seat belts have teeth, ensure they are intact and don’t loosen up whenever the belt is pushed. If any of the belts have loose teeth, they should be repaired and replaced immediately. Also, check for any visible fraying, cracking, or missing teeth in the belts. These are also indicators that the belt must be replaced.
Additionally, inspect all the hoses for fluid leaks. Hoses are prone to wear and tear due to exposure to extreme temperatures and oils. So, make sure to check the end of every hose. A belt or hose that gets disrupted in the middle of the drive can easily cause performance issues during the journey.
6. Clean up the car
Along with doing all the car safety checks for long trips, it is also essential to tidy up the exterior and interior. Taking a grimy and smelly car can ruin the whole road trip experience. So, car owners must prioritize cleaning up the interiors thoroughly. Pay closer attention to the vehicle components that will be in frequent contact with the driver and passengers, such as dashboard controls, storage areas, floor mats, and seats. Along with this, clean up the trunk or cargo hold to prevent damage to the luggage. Also, give a good wash all over the exterior before starting the trip, as this helps remove dirt and debris settled on the surface and improve visibility.
