(content by Mark H)
Are you going on a summer road trip in a car? There is a chance that your vehicle might not be ready for the road trip. Keep on reading to find out, why!
Summer is all about road trips. It is when you get to enjoy your vacations with your friends, and family. While road trips are fun, they can also get very hectic, for both the passengers and the car. This is why you need to be ready, in every way. For example, you will pack as many snacks and drinks as you can, so you do not have to look for any cafes or tuck shops on the road (as you may not find any). Similarly, your car also needs to get ready for a long journey.
You may not come across any gas stations as frequently, which means you are pretty much on your own. The smallest things, such as a flat tire, or an over-heated engine, will cause you inconvenience. It is better to prepare for the long term, and do whatever you can, to avoid any nuisance.
1. Wash your Car
If you think, your car does not need to get washed before a road trip, think again. This is perhaps the biggest reason, why you need to wash your car. For maximum visibility, you need to have a clean windshield, side mirrors etc. If your car is dirty, the dirt accumulated on the glass will not let you see the road clearly. The windshield wipers also get dirty, and a car wash can clean them up. Clean your car windows, and check the wiper blades. Your car will get dirtier during the road trip, and if you have not cleaned your car beforehand, it will get worse.
2. Check if the Lights and Signals are Working Properly
The headlights and tail-lights of your car are just as important as anything else. Your headlights help you see clearly at night, or when it is foggy. Your tail lights enable you to signal the vehicles behind you, so they know where you are headed. Often, it can be so dark, that the vehicle behind you does not even spot you. In these cases, your tail lights are necessary. In case, any of your lights malfunction, it can create the risk of a serious accident. Get w5w led bulb, as it will increase your range of visibility, at the road.
3. Check the Tires
A car runs on tires, which is why the most worn-out part of your car can be your tires. They need to be changed after a few years. Otherwise, it can be dangerous for you to drive the car, whether it is for grocery shopping, or a road trip. In case of a road trip, you will not get a chance to get your tires fixed, which is, why you need to change it, if you have not in a while.
The tires also have air pressure, which enables them to move easily. If there is not enough air or too much air, driving can become tricky. Look for any puncture on your tires, because changing a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, is not an easy feat. A better thing to do would be to take an extra tire, just in case.
4. Change Air Filters
Your engine gets clean air from the air filter. This also impacts your car’s performance and efficiency. If your air filter is dirty, that can be harmful for your engine as well. While, you clean the air filter, do not forget about the cabin filter. A worn-out cabin filter means that there will not be any clean air to begin with.
To clean your air filter, remove it, and hold it up to a light. If you cannot see the light, it means that your filter is dirty, and needs to be replaced. A clean air filter is also good for your engine. Changing the air filter is also not a tricky job; you can check your car’s manual for direction.
5. Check your Engine Drive Belt
Most cars have one or two drive belts. These belts can wear out with time. If, the drive belt breaks, you will need a mechanic to fix it. It is also not something, you want to face while you are on the road.
To check your drive belt’s condition, go to a mechanic. If your drive belt shows some wear or is damaged in some way, it is recommended that you replace it before the road trip. If, you continue to drive with a damaged belt, it can result in severe engine damage.
6. Check the Fluids
You get your mechanic to check the fluids, or you can handle it yourself, it is not a lengthy process. Your car has some vital fluids that include oil, power steering fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid.
If you have recently changed your car’s oil, it should be fine. Your engine oil needs to be changed every few months, (depends on how much you drive your car). If you are not sure where all the reservoirs are located your owner’s manual will be able to guide you.
Your brake fluid also plays a major role, because, if, there is a leakage, it can cause brake failure.
7. Schedule a Checkup
All of the things we have mentioned above are extremely important. A better way to cover your entire car is by scheduling a checkup. While, you can get all of these things checked yourself, there is a chance that you will still miss out on a few things. A proper checkup will help you detect any damages, or malfunctions that you would not notice otherwise. Sometimes your car seems fine, but inside there is a clock ticking. Anything can go wrong at any time, and a thorough checkup helps avoid that.
Do not let your road trip get ruined, because of a car malfunction. Use these tips to get your car ready for your summer road trip, and you should be fine!
About the Author:
This post is written by Mark Hilton. He is a digital nomad who is obsessed with automobiles and loves road traveling. He has worked in several automobile companies and has been covering technology online for over five years. In order to know more about his site, you can visit https://carifex.com/.
