Is your car ready for the next highway trip?
Isn’t it amazing? A break from the fed-up routine. — a chance for self-reflection. — going to the places you always loved to go once. Imagine the car is running at a constant speed on the highway. Your favorite 90’s playlist on the track. The sky in beautiful colors. And your partner on the side seat. Is there any other moment more adorable than this?
At times, we all need a moment to relax our minds, and there’s nothing worth more than a road trip in this regard. Sometimes the weather’s calling you not the mountains. When the sky throws various hues, it demands. Demands a long drive trip from you. Okay, so you are all set to head to your favorite destination, but is your car ready too?
How to get your car ready for a road trip?
Here’s your answer. Here is the way to check your car if it’s roadworthy or not.
Check the battery:
Professionals recommend checking your car’s batteryannually, but you must check it before heading on a long trip as a precaution. Inspect the connections of the battery. Are they tight enough? Make sure that it is corrosion free. If you find any corrosion, take a wire brush and clean it. If the connection is not tight, make it.
Inspect engine oil:
For inspecting your car’s engine oil, you must need to check the mileage meter of your car. Check your car’s instructions manual. It has a scheduled time for changing oil. Some automakers recommend 3k to 5k miles while some recommend 7k to 10k miles. If your car has covered the recommended mileage, then you must have to change its engine oil. Another way to check the oil is the dipstick method. Dip the dipstick in the engine oil reservoir. If it’s black or below the fill line, you need to replace the oil.
Verify the brakes:
You must need to go on a test drive to check the brakes of your car. Not a long drive of 45 minutes. A test drive of 10-15 minutes is enough to check if the brakes are okay. Push the brake pedal and feel it. Is the pedal spongy? Did you need more force to stop your car? Don’t stress out. It may be because of some air bubbles in the brake lines. You need to bleed those by flushing up the brake fluid. The contaminated fluid causes air bubbles and makes the brake pads vague and spongy.
Analyze tire air pressure:
Tire pressure is something you need to check whenever you sit in the driving seat. Imagine how crucial it is for a road trip. It should neither be over-pressured nor under-pressured. Uneven air pressure not only worsen your drive quality but the lifespan of your car’s tire. Moreover, an under-pressured tire wastes your gas more than a well-pressured tire. You must check the air pressure of your tire every 1000 miles. Make sure to recheck it whenever you make a stop at the fuel station.
Test belts and hoses:
Check the tightness of the belts by pushing it to confirm that they have just a little slack. If the belt has teeth, it must not miss any teeth. Check for fraying or cracking.
Also, inspect the hoses for any fluid leakage. Belt failure in the middle of your journey is not fixable by yourself. And there are no mechanics on every 20 minutes drive on a highway. So be cautious!
Assess Power steering oil:
Do you know what makes your car turn so effortlessly? The steering. Somehow yes, but it is the power steering oil that lubricates the steering, and your vehicle makes a turn handily at any speed. However, if that fluid is contaminated, rotating your car’s tire will be a difficult task. Who wants his long drive to be tough rather than enjoying? To avoid any aches in your arms handling your car’s steering, check the power steering oil.
Check radiator fluid:
Long drive makes your car engine heat up if the radiator is not working efficiently. And what makes the radiator efficient is the radiator fluid. It works as a filter, extracts the hot air from the engine, and dissipates it outwards. If there’s not enough radiator fluid in your car, it may get heat up. To avoid stopping in the middle of the highway to let your car cool down, you must keep an eye on the radiator fluid before leading it. Professionals recommend changing the radiator fluid every 50k miles.
Final thoughts:
A road trip is for the satisfaction of your mind. Not for the additional tension if your car mishaps. So why not get it roadworthy before steering your way? If you find any kind of problem while inspecting it for the road trip, go for a professional service. Whether it is an oil change, brake fluid, radiator fluid, brake check, tire air pressure, or hoses and belts, we’re here to help you out. We have a team of experienced mechanics that will make your car ready for your next road trip.