Holidays are coming. Chances are, you’re already planning a trip back to your hometown. You know it’s going to take you long hours of journey on the road. You don’t want to get your car breaking down while you are all stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Planning for a road trip is tedious. But it doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what to check. A safe and smooth journey should be the goal. Your cross-country trip should not be met by any roadblocks.
Get to your destination without encountering car troubles. Check out these tips to get your car in good shape before your holiday trip.
Check your tires
Put tires on top of your priority. Tire-related accidents are no joke. In 2017 alone, tire-related accidents took 738 lives. That’s according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Checking your tires regularly is a must. If you’re not doing it, then this is the time to begin this routine.
Check your car tires for wear and tear. Any abrasions can cause serious incidents you don’t want to encounter while on a road trip. It’s recommended if you can have your tires checked by professionals annually. They can do diagnostics to check your tire alignments and give you more information about tread depths and correct tire pressure. It’s also better if you know how to change a flat tire. Your safety relies on the wheels of your car.
See if your car lights are working
We use car lights to effectively communicate with our fellow drivers while on the road. If they’re not working correctly, it would be hard for us to signal whatever we would want to tell the other road users. This is why it’s essential to do a check on your car lights.
See if your headlights’ low beam and high beam are working. Do the same thing for your car’s taillights. In relation to communicating with other road users, signal lights should be inspected, too. The same goes for your brake lights. You don’t want to harm anyone with your unanticipated slowing down or stoppage. Check your hazard and fog lights too. You have to make sure that these lights work for other drivers’ safety.
Examine the car for exterior damages
This includes inspecting some parts of your car that need repairs or replacements. An example of this is your side mirrors. Damages to your side mirrors can be obstructive. Make sure to have your side mirrors replaced if there are any damages. Do this so you can have a clear view of what’s happening around your vehicle during the whole trip.
In addition, there are times you can’t take your car to the repair shop because of its broken parts. That’s why services like mobile windshield repair and replacement are also available. Instead, they can come to you if your windshield is chipped or cracked. Another part you can check is your car’s doors. Test if they are latching correctly. Fix everything that needs fixing before you take your car out for a long drive.
Your car fluids are important
Start with checking your car oil. This lubricates the different components of your car to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Change car oil if needed. Your radiator fluids should not be ignored too.
See if you already need to flush your car’s coolant. You don’t want your vehicle overheating while you’re in the middle of your journey. Make sure that your car’s radiator is going to work as expected. The windscreen washer fluids need to be checked, too. Making emergency stops for these matters can be a hassle. That’s why you have to check your car fluids days before the holiday trip.
How’s your battery?
Your automotive battery should keep up with the travel. You don’t want your car breaking down while on the road. Typically, a car’s battery lasts about six years. However, charge cycles can shorten the battery’s lifespan.
See how your battery is doing. Determine if it already needs a replacement. If you’re having a hard time starting your car’s engine, your battery might be causing the problem. Prevent this trouble from occurring while you’re on a road trip. Have your car’s battery checked thoroughly.
Keeping your car in mint condition is essential whether you’re going on a road trip or not. You don’t want to run into car troubles while you’re using the vehicle. Allot some of your time for car diagnostics. It’s not just for its flawless operation but also for your and others’ safety.