Prepare Your Car for Road Trips
Planning road trips to native places and tourist places is always exciting but before you hit highways and drive through cities here are the things that you can check in your vehicle before your holiday trips.
On Board Diagnostic Device
Cars made in the last 10 years have OBD ports. You should definitely buy one of these diagnostic dongles. You get access to a wealth of information about your car through OBD devices. Vehicle check can be done immediately for trouble code in your car in real time.
Check Wiper Blades
Wiper Blades always come to mind until it’s raining. It’s important to check the condition of your wiper blades before a road trip; make sure it’s nice, smooth and the rubber is not starting to deteriorate. Check if it’s in good shape. You will also come to know; whether it is flexible enough to maintain good contact with the windshield. If the blade gets ripped off then it can scratch the glass. Replace wiper blades once in a year. Wiper blades also get dirt hence clean them before your next road trip. Don’t forget rear wiper blades, sometimes they get forgotten. Also, ensure windshield washer fluid is top-Up before a road trip.
Check all Lights
You need to make sure that all lights are working on your vehicle so you are not driving down the road with a headlight out or a taillight out. This is very important for your safety. Make sure that all of those lights i.e. Headlights, tail light and brake lights are in working condition. Also, you need to make sure all your signals/indicators are working, it is a must for your safety. You should check their operation and see the low beams and high beams are working properly. You should ensure flashers and fog lights are working properly. Do not forget to check number plate light bulbs. While you depress the brake pedal; you can ask your friend to check from behind or you can set a mobile phone or mirror to make sure that all of your brake lights are working. After checking brake lights, shift the car in reverse and check reverse lights. Get familiar with all headlight switches if you have rented the self-driven car.
Don’t Overload the vehicle
When you go on long trips; you are tempted to take all cool things but avoid overloading your vehicle excessively. It may damage suspension, steering, transmission, tires and engine. Overloading increases fuel consumption and also handling overweight cars is not easy. Hence, to avoid such problems, check maximum load capacity in the car owner’s manual. Remove all junk in your car. Generally, the rear seat and boot have junk in it, carrying only the things you really need for a road trip. Don’t keep any unwanted heavy stuff in the car boot and rear seats. Beware of unwanted stuff kept on the rear parcel tray it may block your rear view.
Check Engine Belts
Many cars have a single belt. It connects everything; it drives your alternator, charges your battery, air conditioning compressor and water pump to keep your engine cooled. You may get stranded, if belts get damaged. If you notice any cracks or any pieces of missing ribs, replace the belt immediately. Engine belt has to be in good shape and replace it as per the recommendation given in the owner’s manual.
Check Car Battery
Batter can screw your road trip. You may leave your home with a working battery but all of sudden during the drive, you may notice the battery is getting drained because it was not getting charged. To avoid such a situation, you should inspect the battery terminal. If you notice any corrosion on battery terminals that reduces the ability of a charge. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water and toothpaste to scrub away and neutralize all acidic build up and then clean it up with paper towels and some water. Visit a nearby battery shop and check the health of your car battery with a battery tester and then you can check your battery’s current charge percent. After all checks, you can start your car and also run a test on how the alternator is charging.
Car Jack, Tool Kit and Spare Wheel
Many times you load all luggage in the cargo area to head out on your trip but make sure the jack and tool kit is kept underneath the luggage. Another very important thing you need to check is the spare tire. Unscrew spare wheel and check tire pressure. It’s important to check the pressure on the spare wheel. If you face tire puncture; you will have to use a spare wheel. If you have a flat spare tire as well as a flat normal tire then you may get stranded in the middle of the road.
Tire Alignment
Proper wheel alignment is important to avoid unnecessary wear of car tires, Steering wheel, Suspension system and brakes too. Proper Wheel alignment improves vehicles overall driving comfort, optimise driving stability and maximise tire life.
Wash Your Car
We suggest car detailing before a long drive. Cars will become more fuel efficient after washing. Air can move freely without getting stuck and hence the car produces less drag which technically improves fuel efficiency. Remove all Junk from your car and you will enjoy a clean and comfortable drive during road trips.
Check Fluids all fluid levels engine oil, power steering oil, brake oil and coolant. All fluid reservoirs have minimum and maximus indicator lines, make sure fluid levels are in between those lines, engine level can be checked with the help of a dipstick.
Ensure Car Electronics Horn and music system is working properly.
Fill Fuel tank in the city before heading, you will get better quality fuel in the city compared to the highway.
It is quite obvious that before any road trip and daily driving in general make sure you have all your proper paperwork in your glove box.
