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A Guide to Preparing Your Car for All Your Outdoor Adventures

Before setting off on a road trip, it is advisable to prep your car for the excursion

By Dennis McKonkiePublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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During your summer vacation, there is no better way to seek out fun and new adventures than embarking on a road trip to the countryside. Nevertheless, before setting off on a trip, it is advisable to prep your car for the excursion so that you do not run into any unforeseen problems or hit any snags while on the road.

A vehicle preparation checklist for a long road trip:

Inspect your tires

Check on your tire pressure and ensure it is at par with the stipulated guidelines within the owner’s manual. Inspect your wheels for any cracks or bulges as well as examining the state of the tire tread.

Test all the lights

Take a careful look around the front and rear of the vehicle. Are the blinkers, headlights, hazard lights, brake lights, and reverse lights all in good condition? Are any of them burnt out or cracked?

Study the vehicle’s features

Regardless of whether you have been operating your car for a couple of months, or you have just bought it from a dealership, it is usually beneficial to go through its documentation and understand the features. Make a list of all the vehicle’s features and understand them well. This might save you from forgetting anything in case you are put on the spot.

Tune-up your car

If you haven't been to the repair shop for some time, sparing some time and cash for fine tuning your vehicle before you hit the road can save you from seeking a major appointment with a mechanic while on your vacation. A mechanic can inspect all the important filters and fluids to determine whether they need to be replaced or topped up. These include the transmission fluid, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, e.t.c. What’s more, they can also inspect the vehicle to see if any belts or hoses need replacement. The ideal time to take your vehicle is at least two weeks prior to your road trip. In this way, if the mechanic finds any major faults, you still have ample time to rectify them.

Check the air conditioner

If you are embarking on a road trip during early spring or even at summertime, it is most likely that you haven't had an opportunity to extensively use your A/C since the previous summer. Test it to check if it is still functioning optimally.

Test the brakes

Carefully listen to your brakes in order to spot any scraping or squeaking sounds. Can you smell a burning smell? Are you able to depress the pedals all the way to the floor? Perhaps this could mean that it is time to undertake an in depth check-up or even replace the brake pads altogether.

Renew all necessary documents & plan ahead

Take note of your license plate sticker’s expiration date, the expiration of your car insurance, your driver’s license, and on your passport. You might also consider purchasing a travel insurance cover to ensure that you can receive compensation in case of an undesirable loss.

Pack up the essential stuff

List down what you need for your trip. You can also consider getting information about hotels, relevant road maps, a charger for both the car and wall socket, travel games, music, snacks, and some beverages. Moreover, ensure that your emergency roadside kit is up-to-date. For those whose luggage cannot fit inside the cabin, roof rack cross bars can come in handy.

Prepare a schedule

Determine the times at which you will be driving and when to disrupt the journey in order to take a rest or have meals. Do not drive for extended periods of time without adequate sleep. A good practice can be to rotate drivers to ensure everyone effectively rests.

If you observe the above mentioned tips before your trip, you will experience less travel inconveniences and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

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