Road trips and other long car trips can be enjoyable and memorable, especially now that they are seen as a safer mode of transportation due to all the new COVID restrictions and the anxiety around public transportation.
But one should remember to take proper care of a car before you go if you want to make sure you have a smooth and comfortable vacation. After all, you don’t want to end up stranded in a remote area because your car broke down, eventually ruining your trip!
Below are some car maintenance recommendations that you should follow before a road trip:
Check car Batteries
Being stranded on a roadside because of a dead battery is the absolute last thing you want to happen! Therefore, whether you’re travelling in the summer heat or the winter cold, remember to check your car batteries and make sure they are properly charged.
Replace the air filters
Driving around with clogged air filters can hinder your car’s engine from receiving fresh air. Both your sinuses and the amount of fuel your engine will use will suffer greatly from this. So always remember to swap your air filters before heading the road.
Refill all the fluids
Your automobile needs a variety of fluids to function properly, including radiator coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, engine coolant, and brake fluid. It can be bad news for your meticulously planned trip if any of these are low or empty.
Examine the brakes
Make sure your car’s brakes are in the finest possible condition before embarking on a road trip or any other lengthy excursion. Along with changing the brake fluid, you should also inspect the brake pads for rust or wear.
Also check out our web story on car maintenance tips!
Get enough engine oil
Verify the engine oil in your car. When your engine oil is old and dirty, it affects how well the car runs; if the level drops too low, the car won’t start at all.
Verify the treads and tire pressure
Incorrect tire pressure can also result in uneven tire wear, which reduces tire life and increases the risk of blowouts. You may also examine the tread on your tires and check for any punctures. It’s usually time to utilize new tires for the trip if they are going low on air or are worn out. A Tire Protect Cover shall shield you from damaged tires.
Check if you have extra tires in your car
The last thing you want is to find out that your spare tire is flat and useless if something bad happens to your car’s tires! Therefore, check to see that your spare tires are in good condition and are not punctured or nicked.
Check the validity of your car insurance
It is crucial to confirm that your car insurance policy is current and has not expired before embarking on a road trip. Consider purchasing a comprehensive insurance when it comes time to renew it.
Load up the petrol tank of your car
Just before you depart on your journey, one final thing you should remember to do is to fill up your tank with petrol or diesel, if your car requires it! You should always fill up your tank before you leave, even if it is only halfway full, as you never know when you will be able to stop again.
Clean your car thoroughly
You should prepare your car for a lengthy road trip by making sure it is clean both inside and out. Nothing is worse than spending a long time in a dirty or odorous car. While you clean and wipe everything down, pay particular attention to things like the seats and the floor mats.
Also watch this video for further clarifications on how to change oil, replace air filters etc.
These were some tips to prepare your car for a fun road trip. For more such articles keep visiting Newsum.us.