It's not tough to jump behind the wheel of your car and drive on a road trip. You need to plan your trip and consider a few things about the car that is going to take you places. These checklists ensure that you end your trip safe and happy. You can follow these tips to make sure you and your car are ready for the go.
You must ensure the oil of the car and the filter has been changed at least twice a year. It's a sound idea to see if your oil change is due right before your road trip. You must check the oil level before you embark on the long trip. They say you must use heavier oil during hot weather and the lighter version during the winters. Nowadays the rule has changed a bit because the engine oils today are equally good across climates.
You must have jump starter cables in the car before you start your journey. Sometimes the headlights are left on for long by sheer accident and the battery gets drained. Jump starter will come to your aid. You can align your car alongside another vehicle and request the driver to give you a jump to reenergize your battery. You may keep a portable jump starter if you are not sure of fixing the hooks to the battery poles. Someone might assist you to jump-start your car.
You can't afford to neglect the tyres because they carry the load and roll on to your destination. They have the tendency to wear down after certain kilometres. They should be roadworthy enough to give you an unhindered journey. Both treads of the tyres and tyre pressure are important. A good tyre technician should be able to check whether they are in sound condition. You should use the pressure meter or gauge to measure tyre pressure. The tyres with suboptimal pressure give you lesser mileage and greater wear. They make steering the vehicle tougher and the car runs with wobbles.
You should regularly check the brake oil, steering fluid, transmission oil, and also coolant. Your car will run better if these oils are topped up. It is advisable that you take the car to a workshop for a thorough check.
The car air-conditioning system should run smoothly, especially when you are driving in scorching summers. If the system is checked before the start of your journey, it is less likely the air-conditioner stops working. You should especially check the compressor and the gas. You should get it checked for any leakages. The blowers too should be looked into. When you are driving along freezing zones, your car's heathers must be in perfect working order. You should check the condenser and the fan belt also. These can be inspected by a technician.
Make sure the tank of the car is full before you set off on the journey. You can carry a can full of petrol as spare fuel in case you don't find gas stations on the way. You cannot leave it to chance. It is recommended that you must carry a roadmap in case the GPS doesn't work or is dead. You should carry all the important papers of the car and your license.
