Nothing screams summer like a road trip with friends or family. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just to the next state over, thorough road trip planning is a must to prevent delays or potentially dangerous situations.
Planning won’t take away spontaneity, but it will keep you and your travel buddies safe. Keep reading to find our road trip tips for prepping your car for a long haul.
Get a Tune-Up
It’s a smart idea to take your car to the mechanic for a quick tune-up before any long trip. A regular tune-up can not only extend the life of your vehicle but also provide peace of mind that it’s operating to its fullest potential.
A mechanic can check all the filters, belts, hoses, and fluids to ensure they’re up to speed.
You might want to check your records to find when you last replaced the spark plugs or coil boots, too.
Check Your Tires
While a mechanic can check your tires during your tune-up, this is something you can do at home, too.
Do your tires still have enough tread on them? Are there any cords showing through the rubber? What is the tire pressure like?
If the tread is wearing off, it’s time to replace them. If you can see cords, your tire may be poorly aligned or out of balance. You’ll need to replace the tire before your trip and will need to check the alignment, too.
If the tire pressure is low, refill the air at a local gas station. If the warning light keeps coming on, you may be dealing with a leak or a malfunctioning sensor that needs replacing.
Check the Brakes
Another thing to do to prepare for a road trip is to check your brakes. Worn brake pads can make stopping scary and dangerous.
Do you hear scraping or squeaking sounds when you apply your brakes? Do you smell a burning odor or does your pedal touch the floor when you brake? If so, chances are your brake pads will need replacing.
Pack the Essentials
Once you know your car is in tip-top shape to go on a road trip, it’s time to stock it with essentials.
Snacks, drinks, spare phone chargers, and an emergency kit are a must. You should also consider buying a map in case you lose cell coverage and cannot use your GPS.
Other things you might wish to pack include garbage bags, toilet paper, napkins, sanitizer, UV window shades, and travel bottles and cups.
We also love road tripping with a car aroma diffuser in tow. Not only do they make the car smell lovely, but they can also reduce stress and anxiety while traveling, too.
Put Our Road Trip Tips into Action
You’re sure to have an amazing vacation this summer when you put our road trip tips into action. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to pack and give your vehicle a once-over before embarking.
Keep browsing our site for more tips for car owners.
