6 Things You Must Check On Your Car Before A Road Trip
>> Jun 27, 2017
Leave the daily grind
behind and enjoy the summer holiday! Once you’ve decided on a destination and
chose the best crowd, you need to make sure that everything goes as planned.
There are many ways you can go about traveling but I prefer a car as it makes me
feel independent and a boss of my schedule. If you feel the same way, make sure
there are no surprises on the road and check traffic and weather alerts. Most importantly, make sure your car does not give you any
surprises so here’s a checklist to get you going smoothly.
Check the fluids
Do you like being
thirsty? No? Well, same goes for your car. Make sure you top-up everything
before you leave. If your oil-change is soon to be due, choose to do it before
your trip, rather than after. Don’t think of wiper fluid as a less important
one, don’t let yourself be surprised by the weather. Also, inspect all systems
to ensure there are no leaks.
Check the tires and brakes
Make sure your car is
kept down to earth by a good set of tires.
Check that your tread is sufficient and that the tires are well aligned. If
it’s possible, confirm that there aren’t any cracks that could become holes.
Finally, have them all inflated properly and don’t forget to do the same for
the spare tire. When it comes to brakes, you’ve already checked the brake
fluid, now just make sure that all of the parts are in good shape.
Check the lights
Good visibility is a
key to avoiding accidents. Make sure all the lights are working properly
(headlights, taillights, turn signals and brakes). Have them either cleaned or
replaced altogether. I took advice from a local mechanic in Epping so I test the headlights by facing my garage
door. That way I can see if they are getting dim (if they are reflecting well
enough) and how they are positioned. I suggest you do the same thing. You can
turn around to test the taillights, too.
Check the battery
What use is there of
a good car if it won’t start? Make sure to check the battery prior to setting
off on your road trip. You can’t always rely on your car giving you signs of a
battery dying, make a small trip to your mechanic and
have them test it for you. Don’t forget your jumper cables!
Check the air-conditioning and the cooling system
Keep it cool! Bear in
mind that you are going on a summer holiday.
You are going to regret ever leaving your house and start hating your
fellow holiday-makers if you happen to be stuck with them in the insufferable heat
for hours. You can’t scroll your windows down on a highway so make sure your AC
is working properly. Also, pay attention to your car’s water pump and radiator
as it needs to be able to cool off to avoid overheating.
Check the bottom of the list
Now for those things
that are the easiest to be forgotten. Take basic tools and warning equipment
with you in case you are required (and capable) to do any emergency repairs,
e.g. replacing a flat tire. Pack up a reflecting triangle to indicate to other
drivers that you are parked on the road (while replacing your flat tire).
Anything else that you may find handy such as a flashlight, Swiss knife,
blanket etc. is also welcome. Remember to fill your glow compartment with
useful paperwork such as your insurance policy, warranty, emergency phone
numbers etc.
Lastly, listen to
your car (and my checklist). Do not ignore any of the lights that may appear on
the dashboard as it is an obvious sign of something
needing to be looked at. If you do this and follow the checklist your
getting-there really will be half the fun!
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