Things you should check on your vehicle before leaving on a road trip.
We have one of the big outdoor holidays coming up, Memorial Weekend.
This starts the year off with the beginning of family road trips, whether your going camping for the weekend or visiting family in another state for the week.
There are a few things on your vehicle that you should check on before leaving…
Remember it’s always easier to fix problems before hand than when your left stranded on the road.
First you should check your vehicle for the sign of any fluid leaks.
These small issues can easily turn into big problems once you leave town. They can also be costly repairs and leave you stranded on the side of the road. The safety of everyone in the vehicle is well worth handling these problems before hand. The most common source of leaks is the radiator, heater, radiator hoses, power steering hoses and the engine oil pan.
Check and top off all the fluids for the car.
This would include the Power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, windshield wiper fluid and the engine oil. Be sure to check your owner’s manual on how to check the transmission and the other fluids for your specific car. Running out of one of these fluids while on a road trip can cause you to stall your car or over heat.
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Check the Tire Pressure in all of the tires.
Low air pressure can cause your car to use more gas, wear faster on the tires and run hotter. Hot tires are more prone to blowouts during extended highway driving. The last thing that you want to experience on your road trip is a tire blowout in your car. Make sure that you check the air pressure in all of the tires on the car and also on the spare tire. Look for the correct air pressure on the sticker that is located on the driver’s door. If that is missing from the door of your car, than consult your owner”s manual.
Check the condition of all the belts on the car.
Broken belts are one of the most common reasons for roadside assistance calls. You should easily be able to find replacement belts at your local auto store. It’s much easier to replace a belt on your car when you are in your own garage then having to find a place out on your road trip after your car has broken down on the side of the road. Before leaving for your road trip, replace any belts that are cracked or worn down.
Check all exterior lights on the car.
This is one of the easiest things to check on your car before a road trip, but it is commonly forgotten. Any information on light bulb replacements and how to replace them can be found in the car’s owner manual. Turn the key to the accessories position and check the turn signals, brake lights, high beams, running lights and back up lights on both the front and back of the car. The easiest way to do this is either with another person watching or in your garage with the door shut so you can see the reflections against the walls.
