Summer is one of the best times of the year to hit the open road. But if your car has logged many miles from summers past, be sure to go through a checklist of preparations before your next excursion. You don’t want to find your long road trip cut short.
Things to Inspect
The most important step in making sure your car is road-trip ready is perform an inspection. And the areas of your vehicle likely to give you trouble down the road don’t require a professional mechanic to look at. Instead, you can easily check them yourself. They include:
- Tires — pressure levels, tread wear and tear.
- Engine hoses and belts — wear and tear, tight connections.
- Fluid levels — antifreeze/coolant, oil and windshield wiper fluid.
- Air filter
Get These Working
Nothing puts a damper on a road trip more than having to spend time — and travel money — at an auto shop. Before you leave, make sure these crucial parts are working properly (it is highly recommended a certified professional fix any of these parts):
- Dash board — gas and temperature gauges, engine light, etc.
- Air conditioner
- Radio
- Lights
- Windshield wipers
- Mirrors
If anything is too expensive to fix, it may be time for a new road trip car.
Pack These Supplies
When it comes to being prepared for a road trips, what you pack in your car is just as important as what you do to it. Always bring these auto supplies:
- Jumper cables
- Map
- Fuses
- Oil
- Spare tire