8 Things You Need to Do to Get Your Car Road-Trip Ready
You are not able to focus on that amazing road trip you’ve been fantasizing about if you can’t recall the last occasion your car saw a repair.
Spring and fall, before the weather changes, and especially before traveling out of town, the following things should be examined at least once every six months.
1. Oil Change
Every car’s soul is oil. If your car is required an oil change or other servicing, get it done before you get on the road, particularly if it isn’t used to driving at highway speeds. Engines and oils are superior to before, but it’s still critical to change your oil regularly.
2. Tires
Tires are often overlooked once they’ve been placed in your car. However, their health is necessary for the safety, fuel usage, efficiency, and grip of your car. Once per month, examine the pressure of all tires, including your spare, whether with a digital tire pressure sensor and making comparisons to the data on the decal inside your driver’s door or by visiting a business that will do it for complimentary. After that, examine the tread depth and see whether the tires are defective or improperly worn. Replace tires as soon as they become unevenly worn or damaged.
Lastly, ensure the tires are rotated according to the manual’s instructions, which is usually done when changing the oil.
3. Brakes
Brakes will almost always provide the motorist with some warning lights of impending problems. Typically disc brake pads feature a squeal detector located on the pad that will begin to squeal when the pad is nearing the end of its usable life, alerting the driver before any other parts—such as rotors or calipers—become broken, turning an otherwise affordable fix into a costly one. Additional red flags include a sudden “spongy” pedal that pulls in one way or another when the brakes are applied or a brake pedal that tremors or moves up and down considerably while braking.
4. Windshield Washer Fluid and Wiper Blades
This is typically a simple task that you may complete on your own: Replenish the windshield washer reservoir with fluid, and repair any wiper blades that are broken, fractured, or don’t wash your windshield correctly. Because vision accounts for a big amount of driving decisions, having good, unimpeded eyesight is essential. As a result, it is recommended that you replace your standard blades with “beam” blades, which are curved to better hug the windshield.
5. Battery
The average battery life duration varies based on local climate and driving patterns; for example, it should last four to five years typically. When starting your automobile, We recommend listening for sounds that indicate the battery is losing some of its charges, requires a longer time to start, or has a tiny hesitation when starting for the first time of the day. Most repair shops have the technology to check the status of your battery, which should keep you from having a battery problem on the road.
6. Interior and Exterior Light Bulbs
Conduct an outside lighting inspection with the assistance of a close relative or friend. Some bulbs are simple to replace, whereas others need professional expertise. Furthermore, double-check all interior lights to guarantee that you’ll have enough light within your car when you need it.
7. Cabin Air Filter
This small filter is in charge of catching impurities from the outside air and maintaining that your air conditioner’s airflow is not obstructed while driving—but not if it’s old and dirty. When you switch on your air conditioner, you’ll notice a musty odor, poor airflow, and air that isn’t as chilly as it should be. On your next oil change, inquire about the quality of your cabin air filter.
8. Inspect for Leaks, Smells, and Noises
If you notice a leak under your automobile, you have a problem. Snap a picture of the leak to show the repairman, as this will assist them in determining the problem. Make use of your senses. What do you think it smells like? What does it resemble? Do you hear anything out of the ordinary? This information will also be beneficial.
We suggest having your vehicle in 2 weeks before your trip—not only will this give you more than enough time to do any needed maintenance, but it will also give you a few more days to drive through your area to ensure everything is in working order.
