How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip
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By PAGE Editor
There is more to preparing for a long car trip than just filling up the gas tank or charging your electric vehicle. The better you prepare, the less likely you are to have your trip ruined by a mechanical failure. Most preparations won't require any expertise. However, if you do use a professional mechanic to prep your vehicle, the cost should be minimal.
Inspect Your Vehicle Thoroughly
You can begin by testing your battery. If you don't have a voltmeter or would rather not have to deal with your battery, make a brief stop at a nearby auto parts store. Typically, they will run a quick check on your battery for free.
The life of a battery can vary widely from user to user. Heavy use will naturally drain a battery, but the climate where the vehicle is driven and stored also has a huge effect. Generally, the harsher your local temperatures, the shorter your battery’s lifespan. That’s why, regardless of the battery’s age, you should always have the battery checked before a road trip.
Inspect your tires carefully, looking for anything that seems abnormal, such as bulges in the sidewall and deep scratches. Check your tire pressure. Of course, all tires will lose air in time. However, if a tire loses air after recently being filled, there is ground for suspicion. Many drivers are confused regarding how much air pressure they should have in their tires. Do not go by the number on the tire’s sidewall. That's the maximum safe air pressure the tire can handle. The proper air pressure to maintain in your tire is listed on a sticker pasted to the latch side of the driver's door.
You also want to check your tire’s tread depth. One time-tested way to determine whether your tires are at the end of their lifespan is to measure using an ordinary penny. Insert a penny into a groove on the tire with Lincoln's head pointed downward toward the tire. If you cannot see all of Lincoln's head clearly, your tires are considered safe. On the other hand, if there's not enough rubber remaining to cover the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to shop for new tires.
Check all your fluids. Be extra cautious when checking your oil if you do it yourself. Make sure you follow the automaker’s recommendation regarding how and when to check your oil for the most accurate results. Don't overlook your transmission fluid and power steering fluid.
Fortunately, modern cars seldom overheat compared to the cars your grandparents drove. However, that reliability has meant that people check the coolant level in their radiator far less than they should. This is one fluid that definitely deserves your attention before a long car trip.
Besides the primary fluids, you also want to check your washer fluid, which brings us to the windshield wipers. Wipers are like umbrellas – you don't realize how badly you need new ones until you're caught in a downpour. You can test your wiper blades and your washer fluid at the same time. Activate the washer fluid to make sure the pump is working correctly and notice whether your wipers effectively clean your windshield or underperform. If necessary, replace them immediately.
Belts and hoses can develop cracks and holes from long use or severe weather. You should be able to spot problem areas without much trouble. However, in some cases, a flashlight may be needed. If you'd rather leave this task to a trusted mechanic, you can also ask them to verify that the hose clamps are in good condition and the belts are operating under the recommended tension.
Carry Emergency Items
Check your replacement tire and make sure you have a car jack and a set of jumper cables. A fully charged cell phone can be one of the best emergency items you pack for a road trip. But make sure you also carry the required charger plus an emergency backup power bank.
When you need to work on your car, a good pair of gloves will come in handy, along with a basic car repair toolkit that includes such simple items as a tire pressure gauge, pliers, and screwdrivers. Duct tape is handy when you discover small holes in your hoses. Other items to carry would be a flashlight, washer fluid, and emergency blankets.
Don't overlook packing a supply of drinking water and nonperishable foods in case you're either stranded or stuck in traffic. You should also never leave the house for a long car trip without bringing along necessary medicines, especially those that are required for acute attacks of certain illnesses, such as asthma. Ensure you also have a way to quickly contact your doctor should an emergency arise.
Install a Dash Cam
One special item to consider taking on a long car trip is a dash cam. It's one of those tools you hope you'll never need but will be glad you have it in an emergency. For example, imagine there's a dispute between you and another driver regarding who caused an accident. There are no third-party eyewitnesses to corroborate either story. However, your dash cam recorded the entire incident. It could serve as an impartial mechanical witness, providing proof of your innocence and the other driver’s culpability. Having a dash cam can be the difference between returning home from a long car trip with fond memories and coming back with a higher insurance rate.
As its name implies, the dash cam can be mounted on your car's dashboard. But it can also be mounted on the windshield. Consult the laws of your state and the states where you'll spend most of your travel time to make sure you comply. It will require a little money and time to get your dash cam prepped for your road trip, but as any experienced car accident lawyer like the attorneys at Barrera Law Group LLC would tell you, it could one day be worth its weight in gold.
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