Car Maintenance: Preparing Your Vehicle Before A Trip

4th of July Weekend is coming up which means there will be some traveling. For those taking a good old fashioned road trip, here are some pre-trip maintenance tips.

 

Check Your Vehicle

(Tires, Fluids, Air Filter, Engine)

Tires  – Air Pressure and Tire Wear (Don’t forget to check the air pressure of the spare tire)
Fluids – Coolant, Oil, Brake Fluid Levels, Power Steering Fluid, Windshield Washer Reservoir
Air Filter – Improves engine performance

There are also some things under the hood that you should take care of before you start out on your trip:

Check the engine oil and your automatic transmission fluid. If your next oil change or transmission change is due soon, you should definitely take care of it before you leave.

Check the engine antifreeze (coolant) level in the overflow tank, which is fairly easy to do. Remember, never open the radiator cap if your car engine is hot. Any leaks you discover should be fixed immediately because a lack of coolant while you are traveling may cause engine to overheat, which can lead to serious damage.

If you feel that your battery’s cranking speed is slower than before, it is probably time for you to replace it. (Typically, a battery lasts from two to five years.)

Look for anything irregular, including leaks and loose clamps.

Make sure that the jack is still operable in case you need to change a tire on the road.

Also Check..

Electrical equipment and lights. The horn, the windshield wipers, and all the lights in your car. You should replace the wipers or get rubber refills if they don’t clean the windshield perfectly, and have some extra light bulbs on hand, as well. Depending on the season and your location, you should also make sure that the heater and air conditioner are in good working order.

REVIEW YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL

This is the best source of useful information about your car, from using overdrive when you tow a trailer to how to change a tire. Look for the proper tire pressure, how to change a headlight bulb, and other things you might need to do unexpectedly while you are away from home. They may be minor, but they can cause a delay if you don’t know how to handle them.

Before you take a road trip, you should check your car to make sure that it is in good condition and running smooth. This will help you to drive safe and avoid any breakdowns or mechanical issues. Then you’ll be free to just roll down the windows, turn on the radio and enjoy the open road!

 

Source: http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/pre-trip-maintenance.php
                 http://www.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Car-Before-a-Road-Trip