Setting up car maintenance before a road trip is important to prevent car troubles. Nothing may ruin your trip more than getting stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and no backup tools! Even while you can’t avoid every mechanical issue, you can avoid wasting important vacation time in the repair shop by inspecting your car’s parts and fluids before you travel. Stay one step ahead and ensure to protect your family by following these measures before hitting the road.
1. Check Engine Oil
Engine oil is one of your vehicle’s most vital fluids, and fortunately, it is simple to check on most models. Wait at least 10 minutes after you switch off your automobile for the oil to cool and settle. This can help you determine how much you’ll need more precisely. You will then find and remove the dipstick.
The dipstick should then be cleaned with a rag or napkin and put back into the oil well. When you take it out again, take special note of its end. The dipstick’s lowest and maximum markings represent the ideal oil levels. Anything less than the minimum amount of oil indicates the need for more. Clean oils are smooth and yellowish in color. An oil change is necessary if the oil on the dipstick is black in color and gritty in texture.
Furthermore, getting an oil change before a road trip is generally good. You should be aware that electric cars don’t require oil changes. If you don’t drive an electric vehicle, make sure you are using the correct sort of oil before putting it in your car. This information is available online, in the vehicle’s manual, and on the oil cap.
2. Check Hoses
If all rubber hoses did was sit on a shelf, they would last ten years. However, in a car, they are frequently exposed to temperatures near the boiling point of 212 degrees. Checking your hoses is a good car maintenance before a road trip. The plasticizers that give rubber its soft texture disintegrate more quickly at high temperatures.
A hose breaks and releases hot water when it becomes hard. First, check the locations of the radiator and engine connections for the input and output radiator hoses. They usually break and fail there first because of the additional strain that the pipe collar and hose clamp place on the hose.
Examine your heater hoses as well, as they connect the engine to the firewall and back. Blisters or bulges are signs of a hose wall weakening. If your hoses are cracked or blistered, change them. As a precaution, purchase a hose-patch kit from the nearby auto parts store.
3. Inspect Radiator Fluid
The radiator cools the engine, which generates a lot of heat. Radiator fluid, sometimes referred to as coolant or antifreeze, radiator fluid absorbs heat from the engine through the radiator. Check your coolant and add more if necessary because a low level will probably cause overheating. Ensure that the system is flushed at least every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Scheduling this maintenance before a road trip guarantees a smooth ride.
4. Check the Power Steering Fluid
Power steering is included in modern cars to make turning the wheel simple at any speed, but it can also get polluted and reduce steering responsiveness. Checking the fluid’s level and condition each time you replace your car’s oil is a smart idea. Regardless, it is recommended that you replace your power steering fluid approximately every 50,000 miles.
5. Check Transmission Fluid
A car’s internal parts are cooled and lubricated with transmission fluid. Transmission noises such as rattling or other odd sounds or trouble shifting gears are indicators that you could need more transmission fluid. Transmission fluid levels can be checked with a dipstick that comes with some cars.
For others, a mechanic’s inspection is necessary. It is unlikely that you will need to change or refill the transmission fluid because the majority of electric vehicles do not have regular transmissions because they run on electric motors. However, it’s crucial to constantly adhere to your vehicle’s unique maintenance guidelines.
6. Check Belts
Using your hand, rotate the engine belts sideways to examine the friction surface. If they are frayed, torn, cracked, or expose the fiber cords, it’s time for new ones. In many modern cars, the water pump and all of the accessories (such as the alternator, power steering, and air conditioning) are driven by a single, big belt known as a serpentine.
Your car should be fine if it has fewer than 50,000 miles on it. Older cars have many belts to power these systems. Make sure they’re all in good shape. A loose belt is most likely the source of loud screeches you hear, especially when you pull away from a stoplight. A loose belt can be depressed by your finger with a deflection of more than half an inch at a position halfway between pulleys. Replace if worn out and old. If it’s not, you’ll need to tighten it again, or it might come loose, generally at a very bad time.
7. Inspect Tires
Before you depart, make sure your tires are in good condition because they are crucial for comfort, safety, and fuel economy. It’s one of the most crucial maintenance before a road trip that shouldn’t be overlooked. Also, ensure you have spare tires in case of any emergencies.
Air Pressure
Every road traveler has to get decent gas mileage because underinflated tires are sure to waste gas once the alarming “Next Gas 130 Miles” light appears. On the other hand, overinflated tires are less compliant and worsen ride quality. Poor air pressure also results in uneven tire wear, which reduces tire longevity.
Most cars include a sticker inside the driver’s door or an owner’s handbook that will tell you how much air your tires need. Check your tire pressure before leaving and then approximately every 1,000 miles after that. If there is a noticeable change in temperature, make sure to check your tire pressure again because it also influences the pressure within your tires.
Rotation
Even with the right tire pressure, tires wear at different rates because of factors like weight balance, driving behavior, road conditions, and suspension calibration differences. As a result, it is essential to rotate your tires at regular intervals between different positions on your vehicle.
Because each location wears down a tire in a different way, switching tires from front to back or right to left extends their lifespan. Every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or whenever you observe that one side of your tire tread is wearing down noticeably more quickly than the other, you should rotate your tires.
Replacement
The penny test is a simple method to determine whether your tires need to be replaced if they are beginning to look a bit bald. Place a penny in the groove of the car’s tire tread and ensure Abraham Lincoln’s head faces the groove. It’s time for tire replacement if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head.
You should get new tires before embarking on a longer road journey. Although most tires last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, depending on their type and usage, it is best to replace them right once if there is damage, such as sidewall bulges, exposed cords, or punctures.
8. Check Brake System
Brake fluid is a hygroscopic mineral oil, meaning it draws and retains moisture. As it ages, it turns maple syrup-colored and starts rusting your braking components. Inspect the color of the fluid in your brake reservoir and confirm that it is sufficiently filled. Get a flush before you leave for your trip if it didn’t happen in two or three years. In addition to damaging expensive brake parts, water-laden brake fluid reduces the fluid’s boiling point. Your vehicle might be using DOT5 fluid, which is silicon-based and resistant to water absorption if it is a more recent model. However, you should flush this fluid in accordance with your owner’s manual’s recommendations.
9. Check Battery
If your vehicle’s battery is older than a few years, make sure the positive and negative lines are tight, and the terminals are clear of corrosion. A failing battery or corrosion are the two causes of your starter’s slow sound. Avoid waiting until you are trapped due to a dead battery.
Get the electrolytes tested at a petrol station if the battery isn’t sealed and maintenance-free. The output voltage can be checked if it is sealed. You can use a wire cable brush from your neighborhood parts store to clean the terminals if there is corrosion, which appears by a white, chalky substance. Put the leads in place firmly. Make sure everything is secure because if one slips off while you are driving, it could result in a dangerous “voltage dump” that could destroy the alternator.
10. Check Light Bulbs
A burnt-out taillight, headlight, or blinker can cause you to be pulled over while driving. Start your car, put it in park, turn on the headlights, and check for burned-out bulbs by walking around the vehicle to make sure everything is in working order. Do the same with the turn signals on the left and right. To inspect the brake lights, use a brick to hold down the brake pedal while the vehicle is still in park.
11. Check Air Filters
The roadway is dirty. Cars include air filters to keep dust, debris, and bugs out of the engine and interior. These air filters eventually fill up and may clog, which can affect interior air quality, fuel efficiency, and engine performance. You should replace your air filters at least once a year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Complete this maintenance before a road trip is quite important.
12. Check the Windshield Washer Fluid
While it is not required for the car’s performance, this fluid might help you see better while driving if your window gets dirty. Windshield washer fluid cleans the windshield by removing debris, grime, and bugs. You may check if you need more by opening the reservoir’s top and looking inside. If needed, fill it to the brim with fluid that meets your expected scenarios. You may either take your car to a mechanic for expert advice or check all of these fluids on your own.
13. Bring Emergency Supplies and a Repair Kit
A final idea for vehicle preparation is to get a roadside emergency kit that you can have in your vehicle at all times. You should include the following items in your roadside repair kit:
- Road flares
- Non-perishable food
- Jumper cables
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tool kit
- Flashlight batteries
- Flashlight
- Emergency blanket
- First aid kit
- Flint starter
- Hatchet
- Ice scraper
- Paper towels
- Walkie talkies
- Triangle reflectors
- Water
14. Tidy Up
Tidying up is an essential road trip checklist that can’t be overlooked. There’s nothing worse than traveling by car in a dirty, smelly vehicle; therefore, cleaning the inside should be your top priority before you go. Pay special attention to the controls on the dashboard, storage spaces, floor mats, and seats. Ensure that the trunk is clean to prevent harm to your bags and any souvenirs you may have collected during your journey. Remember to wash the exterior thoroughly before you leave for your trip. Bugs and bird dung are known for eating paint, and you’ll come across a lot of them on the road.
Conclusion
Thorough maintenance before a road trip guarantees a safe, stress-free journey. Regular checks, timely repairs, and pre-departure preparations ensure your vehicle’s optimal performance. Stay safe, save time, and savor the journey with confidence.
