For some reason, I think road trips are a summer thing and being a rebel; I love to go on 1-2 days trips during weekends as soon as the fall begins. I have been on two trips this fall till now, and there are much more to come. Going on a road trip maybe a spontaneous thing where you just hit the road with everything unplanned, but it’ll be in your best interest to prepare your vehicle for such a trip.
Auto service companies have heard too many stories of how someone’s car broke down in the middle of an unknown road, and they had to get it working with whatever repair company they could find. It wouldn’t happen if you just visit your trusted auto service company and get your car serviced beforehand.
There are things that you need to check. What I prefer is just go to my preferred garage and tell them about my plan to go on a road trip. They prepare my vehicle exactly how I need it. Such an understanding comes as I have been a customer since years. But if you’re new to it (which will be the case if your last road trip had some serious glitches due to car troubles), you need to know about the following things.
Also Read: Finding the right auto service shop near you
How to get your vehicle ready for next road trip?
1. Check the engine oil: Every once in a while, you should check if the vehicle has enough engine oil. What most of us do is switch this ‘once in a while’ with ‘when your car breaks down.’ It’s bad. It hardly takes a minute to check the engine oil. Then why do you keep putting it till next day? Do it preferably before a few days of your trip.
2. Check the pressure in the tires: Tire pressure directly affects the mileage your vehicle gives. If your vehicle doesn’t have the proper tire pressure, expect to spend much more on gas than your initial estimate. What I mean to say is you need to ensure that the tire pressure is just enough and also, there’s a spare tire in your car in case there’s a flat tire during your trip. Don’t forget to carry the toolbox as well.
3. Check the battery: The above two tasks are easy and can be DIYed. I am unsure whether you can do this one very well or not. Your car may have started just fine in the morning but still, by evening, you find yourself in an auto repair garage due to a dead battery. I am sure it has happened to you at least once. There’s no sure shot way to see if your vehicle’s battery is going to die unless you employ a good auto repairer to check it.
4. Check the brakes: You’ll be driving for a long time, and you must ensure the safety of the people driving with you and yourself. Although we all try not to think of dangerous situations, we must take necessary precautions to avoid them. Having brakes that work perfectly fine will put the vehicle under your complete control and keep you safer.
5. Check the lights: Last but not the least, you should check if the lights are working – indicator lights, headlights, reverse lights. All of them should be working. You also need to clean the air filter of the vehicle for proper air flow.
That’s how you can get your car ready for the next road trip. Remember that spontaneity is right in deciding the place and activities for the road trips. It’s not right for the vehicle you’re going to use to travel, so much so that it can be fatal if your luck isn’t on your side that day. Please be careful and if you don’t know much about cars and auto repair, hire an auto service company to do the task for you.
Of course, hire a reliable company that does the job properly without fail. You can find such companies through Same Day Pros. Give it a try!
