Are you planning a road trip?
Wow! That’s great!
But, do you know that you’ll have to prepare your Vehicle for a successful road trip?
Yes, you read that right! It’s important to make sure that your Vehicle is perfect before you start your excursion. Whether it’s your car’s windshield replacement or its engine, everything should be in perfect shape.
In this post, we shall discuss all that you need to check in your car before starting your road trip. So, let’s get started…
1. Check Your Car Inside Out
Examine the car’s exterior, including the tires, lights, headlights, tire pressure, and so on. Check that every part of your car is in good working order, and if you detect any problems, have them repaired by a specialist. Everything should function properly, as each part of your Vehicle determines how your trip will unfold in total. Moreover, in addition to regular air, pump up the tire pressure with Nitrogen. Nitrogen assists the tire in forming a greater grip on the road surface while maintaining decent fuel consumption. Also, check the exterior and interior lighting accessories and make any necessary changes.
2. Examine the Engine Hoses and Belts
After you’ve thoroughly examined the exterior of your vehicle, it’s time to pop the hood. Begin by inspecting the most basic elements, such as your Vehicle’s hoses and belts. Examine the structure for fractures, dry rot, and leaks. If you can push or pull on a belt and it bends easily, it’s probably loose and/or stretched and should be replaced. Before you go, evaluate and repair anything that appears to be a problem. Failure to do so could be disastrous for your Vehicle’s engine and, of course, your vacation.
3. Check your Car’s Battery
Another significant step is to check your car’s battery before you start. Checking the battery’s expiry date is a crucial chore. If it has been more than three years, it is time to replace it. Furthermore, ensure that the battery’s electrical charging system is operational. If your car’s starting seems slow, it could be due to a corroding or expiring battery. If its corrosion, clean the white chalky stuff outside before driving, and if it’s expiring, then get it replaced.
4. Replace Air Filters
Due to the heavy dust and dirt on the roads, air filters get clogged, which ultimately impairs the engine’s performance, fuel condition, and interior air quality. If this is the case, it is recommended you should change air filters to keep the car’s interior air quality high throughout the trip.
5. Inspect all of the Fluids in the Vehicle
Fluids are at the core of how a vehicle works. Check the radiator, brakes, windshield glass, transmission, power steering, and all other fluids. Each of these components should be lubricated appropriately. Lubrication is usually determined by how far your car has been driven since you last lubricated it. Determine how far you intend to travel on your road trip. And accordingly, lubricate all of these parts. This will help your car to run smoothly and let you have a wonderful driving experience.
6. Check Wipers
Wipers and lights must be in good working order to guarantee proper vision when driving, especially late at night and early in the morning. Replace old or worn-out wiper blades if they leave streaks so you can see well when there is rain or fog.
7. Check the Exhaust System
A defective exhaust system can disrupt your trip by reducing power, so don’t take it lightly. If there is some ripping or crackling sound, it is a sign that your car’s exhaust system needs to be checked. If your vehicle is more than five years old, you should consider having its exhaust system serviced by a specialist.
8. Check the Braking System
Your Vehicle’s braking system is a critical safety element. So, before you begin your road trip, inspect the brakes. If there is any creaking, scraping, shaking of the steering wheel, or sponginess of the brake pedals, it is a sign that it has to be repaired by a professional.
9. Check the Windshield
Your car’s windshield is one of the most important parts to be checked. Not only does it protect you from extreme weather conditions but there are other important functions of windshield as well. Hence, check your car’s windshield for chips and cracks. If there are many of them, get the windshield replacement done before you leave for your trip. If there are minor chips or cracks, then windshield repair can be done. But in both cases, it’s better to take your car to a professional. He would help you with the right decision.
10. Examine the HVAC system
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system allow for a good cooling system. So make sure to get all of these systems checked before starting your trip.
11. Check all your Documents
Check all paperwork, including the Driver’s license, RC (Vehicle Registration Certificate), PUC (Pollution Under Control), and insurance papers. Most importantly, check their expiration dates. If some document has expired already, renew it before you begin your trip. This is because you’ll need your Vehicle’s documentation if you drive interstate. Check all these before you begin your road trip. Checking each and every part beforehand is mandatory for a smooth, comfortable, and fun drive. Besides these, here is a Bonus Tip for you.
Bonus tip 1: Take a Quick Test Drive. Before you finally get behind the wheel for your long-awaited road trip, take a quick test drive to detect any faulty areas so that you can get them fixed accordingly.
Bonus tip 2: Double Check Everything The habit of double-checking things is a great savior! So make sure you check everything twice to ensure a smooth drive and a fantastic trip! Everything is cool now, get your gears and hit the road! Enjoy!
Happy Traveling!