There’s nothing like the thought of a road trip to get you excited for vacation. At the same time, nothing can ruin that vacation faster than a broken-down car on the side of the road. Road trips are often some of the hardest driving trips your car will ever take on. Before you head out, you’ll want to know these four important things to check on your car before your road trip.
Tire Pressure
Before embarking on a road trip, you should check the tire pressure of your vehicle. Low tire pressure can lead to poor fuel efficiency and cause tires to wear unevenly. It’s best to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, as driving warms up the tires and can give an inaccurate reading. If necessary, add air until you reach the recommended pressure level for your tires. Your tires will do the brunt of the work on your road trip, so proper tire maintenance before you leave is crucial.
Oil and Fluid Levels
Another important thing to check on your car before a road trip is the oil level in the engine. Low oil levels can cause significant damage to your engine. So it’s vital to ensure there’s enough oil in your car before setting off on a long journey. To check the oil level, pull out the dipstick from its tube and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel. Insert it back into its tube and remove again. If the oil level falls between the two marks on the dipstick, then you have enough oil in your car’s engine. Checking your other fluid levels, such as brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid, is also a solid practice before any road trip.
Battery Charge Level
You’ll definitely want your battery to have enough charge before going on a road trip. A weak battery may not be able to start your car after sitting idle for several days during a long journey, so make sure you fully charge it before setting off on your trip. You can use a multimeter or voltmeter to test your battery’s voltage. If it reads 12 volts or more, you should be good to go!
Light Functioning
Finally, check that all your lights are working properly before heading out on a road trip. This includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and fog lights (if applicable). If any of these lights are not working correctly, you should replace them as soon as possible in order to ensure visibility during nighttime driving conditions.
You can enjoy a road trip far more when you don’t have to worry that your car will break down halfway through. With these simple checks before you take off, you can fully enjoy your road trip the entire time you’re on the road.
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