It’s bad enough when your car breaks down in your neighborhood. Nothing, however, could derail those vacation plans like a car breakdown miles and miles from home. Vacations are intended to be a period for rest and enjoyment, but whether or not you take the appropriate precautions to prepare your automobile for that lengthy drive might be the difference between joy and agony. Here are some basic actions you can take before leaving home to secure your car, road trip, and loved ones.
Gather all of your essential paperwork.
Make sure you have the owner’s manual! This manual offers essential vehicle information, like how to refill fluids, jump-start the car, and cool down an overheating engine. There are also owner’s manuals online if you lose your original copy. Almost every manufacturer has an online version of their owner’s manual.
Also, manufacturer websites can help you value a car. For example, if you want to know about the land rover discovery roof rack. Ensure that your car insurance and driver’s license are still valid. Put these documents in a safe place, such as the glove compartment, if you need them during your travel.
Examine your tires
You should inspect your tires for pressure, wear, and spare tire. According to the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s handbook, check your tire pressure. The maximum pressure will also be inscribed on the tire itself. Driving on tires with excessive tread wear is dangerous. Before starting the trip, make sure all of your tires have enough tread. Finally, examine the spare tire.
The pressure should be the same if it’s a full-size tire. The pressure is stated on the tire’s sidewall if it is a smaller temporary-use tire. Ensure you’re conversant with removing the spare tire, especially if it’s kept underneath your car rather than in the trunk.
Check Your Lights and Wipers
A vehicle’s lights are critical for safe driving. While any that aren’t working may be readily remedied, it’s crucial to double-check them all before leaving. Have someone else double-check that every light is operational? If any bulbs aren’t working, change them before you depart. Headlights, indicators, brake lights, danger lights, reverse lights, and fog lights should be checked. An extra bulb is a good idea, particularly if you aren’t going to be close to any car shop while on your trip. Should you need to change a bulb while driving, consult your owner’s handbook for detailed instructions.
However, even car lights do not help if your windshield is blurred by rain and the wipers are not operational. Luckily, checking and replacing the wipers if they’re worn out is straightforward. It is easy to replace the rubber refills if your road trip vehicle has the original wipers. They are significantly less costly.
Check your braking system.
Testing the brakes is vital for preparing your vehicle for your long journey. They are required for driving! Take a trip in your car and pay attention when braking. Listen for creaking, scraping, or burning smells and the brake pedal pressing down to the bottom. If you see any of these signs, it may be time to change your brake pads, so take your car to the mechanic. But you’re still on the fence? It’s never a bad idea to have a technician or brake professional double-check your work.
Inspect Your Fluids
Assess your fluids to determine if they should be replaced or filled up. Ensure you’re parked on level ground while checking fluid levels for accurate readings.
Checking the Engine Oil
The engine should be turned off and left to cool for approximately 15 minutes. Removing the engine oil dipstick by pulling an orange or red tab visible once the hood is opened. Using a clean cloth or paper towel, wipe the dipstick clean, reinsert it, and remove it after 2-3 seconds. Using the indicators toward the bottom of the dipstick, check the oil level.
Wiper Fluid
Ensure that the wiper fluid reservoir has enough fluid. Driving with this emptiness is forbidden in certain countries since it compromises safety. As a result, this is an essential element of getting your automobile ready for a long drive. You must acquire wiper fluid from a garage, an auto shop, or online markets. The wiper fluid should be mixed with water and poured into the appropriate container.
Radiator fluid
An engine will surely overheat if there isn’t enough coolant for the radiator. In the almost clear container, check the level of coolant fluid. The coolant level should be between the “Low” and “Full” markings. See your owner’s handbook for further information if you can’t find the markings. If your coolant has a “rusty” appearance, this might suggest an issue with its function. Remember to add more coolant if it is below the “Low” marking. Your local auto shop will be able to advise you on the best coolant to use for your car.
Check your coolant container and delivery system for leaks if the level is considerably below the “Low” marking.
In Summary
You can do your best to prepare and wash your car for your road trip, but a competent technician can check things you can’t without the right tools and experience. Taking your vehicle in for maintenance and paying a nominal fee before a long road trip might save you money down the road.
