Road Trip Car Maintenance Checklist

Every person enjoys an excellent road trip, however, if you fall short in preparing your car for a road trip it could lead to catastrophe. Do not be tricked into assuming that your brand-new car doesn’t require an inspection, a quick mechanical check can mean the difference in a carefree drive or a roadside failure. We’ve put together a short vehicle maintenance checklist of the top things you must inspect prior to your next journey.

Is My Vehicle All Set For A Journey?

Just because your vehicle is brand-new that doesn’t suggest it’s ready for a lengthy journey. If your vehicle is overdue for an oil change, has a tire with an air leak, or has a burnt taillight then you most definitely should get those items taken care of prior to imagining the open road. Additionally, if you do not already have an emergency kit in your automobile, you should create one before your next journey. Despite all the road trip planning on the planet, stuff can fail. A little bit of prevention can help profoundly with unpredicted automobile difficulties.

Safety List for Road Trips

Ok, you are prepared to give your automobile a once-over with a fine-tooth comb, but where do you start? Your road trip checklist should concentrate on 3 primary sections: Fluids, Wheels and Tires, and Maintenance. While not an exhaustive checklist, if you extensively examine these locations your possibility of an uninterrupted trip rises.

Don’t Forget Your Fluids

Engine Oil – As we stated above, you’ll want to see to it that the engine oil has been changed recently.
Transmission Fluid – Be sure to consult your owner’s manual to see how often it should be changed. If it’s past due, you’ll need to change it.
Radiator fluid – Make certain that your antifreeze is completely full for optimal performance and inspect your owner’s manual to see if it needs to be changed.
Brake Fluid – Being able to brake efficiently can mean the difference between a crash or avoiding one. If you are not sure, get it inspected
Windshield Wiper Fluid – If you’re likely to be driving a long distance you’re going to hit some bugs or other roadway debris. See to it your windshield wiper fluid container is completely full to get the crud off. Wiper fluid is worthless without great wipers, so change your wipers while you’re there.

Tires

Tread – See to it there are no bald spots and that you have plenty of tread left. Double-check for any type of leaks that require attention. If they cannot be repaired, replace them.
Air Pressure – See to it that your tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure and that they all have equal pressure in each tire.
Rotation – Make sure that your tires don’t need to be rotated. Tires that aren’t balanced/rotated correctly can wear unevenly and have an aggravating vibration.
Spare Tire – Whatever you look at on your main tires, do it for your spare also.

General Maintenance Issues

Light Bulbs – Worn out headlights and taillamps can be a safety threat, so see to it they work normally. While you are at it, check your turn indicator lights and parking lights. You can also update to LED bulbs for brighter light and lower power consumption
Air Filter – If you resemble most of us, your air filter needed changing years ago. It’s simple to do, isn’t very pricey, and can help with better gas mileage.
Belts and Hoses – If you aren’t an auto technician, this might be a little intimidating however it can, in fact, be quite straightforward. First thing is to look for splits in the hoses, then squeeze the hoses to see if they feel brittle. Hoses should feel really rubbery, if they feel breakable or have cracks you need to replace them. Try to find leaks on your hoses, especially where they attach to various other parts. Finally, checks the belts to make certain they aren’t loosely attached or have missing notches. A busted belt and/or hose can promptly wreck your road trip and your engine.
Battery – Check to make sure the battery terminals are not worn away and that the +/- connections are tightened. If your car starts slowly you may need a new battery.
Brakes – Having the ability to stop your vehicle properly is key in preventing crashes. Flushing your brake fluid, replacing the brake pads, and even obtaining new rotors might be needed to have a secure car for your trip.

Before the Road Trip, Test Drive Your Car

You know your vehicle far better than anyone. Take it out for a quick spin to see if something really feels off. This isn’t a pleasure cruise so shut off the radio and concentrate. Does your vehicle pull to one side under heavy braking? Does your Air Conditioning blow cold? If something feels off, you should have a specialist take a look into it.