A road trip is an exciting time for everyone involved, especially when you’re heading out into nature. Music and entertainment for the trip, food and your itinerary and route might be high up the agenda but it’s crucial to take some time to make sure your vehicle is up to the task.
Car troubles can put a real dampener on your holiday and make it memorable for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, there are a series of simple tasks that can be undertaken to help avoid many of the stresses that might arise from an extended trip on the open road.
Tires
Your tires are the interface between your car and the asphalt so it’s vital they’re in good condition and up to the job. Try the penny test to check your tread depth which involves placing a one cent coin into the center groove of your tire with Abe’s head upside down.
If you can see the top of his head, the tread is too shallow, and your tires could be dangerous. Check each of your tires because uneven wear could be an indicator of a further problem and if you have any doubts at all, take your vehicle to a qualified professional. Replacing a full set of tires can be expensive but thankfully many tire finance options are available to lighten the load on your bank balance.
You may not be aware that your tires require different pressures depending on the cargo and even weather conditions. Check your driver’s handbook to see the recommended pressures for your vehicle. A full load of passengers and luggage plus hot weather conditions require up to 8 psi more inflation than an empty load on colder days.
Routine Maintenance
Most modern cars have a series of self-diagnostic checks they perform that will toggle a warning light in the dashboard, but you should still undergo routine maintenance of your vehicle. It’s also confidence building and reassuring to understand a little more of how your car works.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Top this up before your trip to tackle dust or bugs that have met an untimely end on your windshield. The wiper fluid reservoir will be easily accessible and visible under the hood.
Engine Oil
Check your engine oil levels every 2,000 miles or as frequently as the manufacturer recommends. Usually, a dipstick will indicate satisfactory levels and your handbook will tell you what kind of oil to use if it needs topping up.
If you suspect low levels of engine coolant, power steering fluid (if your vehicle still uses it), transmission fluid or brake fluid (spongy brakes), see a qualified mechanic to give your car a once over.
Routine maintenance also includes the regular assessment and replacing, if necessary, of the lamps for the various lights, air filters, belts, and hoses. Have a friend help you check each of your lights as you turn them on and off from inside the car.
If you need to check lights by yourself, you can do so by parking close to a wall or fence to see the reflected luminance. Bulbs are usually straightforward to replace with only a screwdriver – check the model number of the faulty bulb – and it’s also advised to have some spares in the car at all times.
Other Items on the Checklist
While we rely increasingly on technology for our navigation, it can always fail, so having a traditional paper road map is useful. You never know when you might need it.
Ensure all your necessary driver’s documents are in order and accessible.
Check that your car insurance is up to date.
Roadside assistance can be obtained for as little as $5/month and could help you out in a pinch. Also consider purchasing a roadside emergency kit with a high vis vest, warning triangle, first aid kit and other useful tools in case things go wrong.
Pack for the weather. Do you need snow tires for a winter excursion, or do you need to pack extra water for hot trips?
It really pays to be prepared before any long car journey, especially when you’re traveling to new destinations. And if you follow the advice in this article, the trip will be stress free and unforgettable for all the right reasons.
