So, you’ve finally done it. You’ve picked your destination, planned your route, and all your friends are with you. You’re ready to pile into the car, and get out on the open road. But before you go, are you sure that your trusty steed is ready to make the journey there and back again?
Your Pre-Road Trip Auto Care Checklist
Item #1: Tires
Tires are one of those things we never think about, until it’s nearly too late. If you’re going on a road trip, though, they’re the first thing you should check. Look at the tread, check the pressure, and while you’re at it, make sure your spare tire is up to snuff as well. You don’t want to get a flat, and then find out your spare won’t help.
Item #2: Fluids
It’s more than just your oil, though you should make sure you get a change if you’re close to the mileage marker. You also need to check your coolant, your brake fluid, your transmission fluid, and make sure you load up on window washing fluid while you’re at it.
Item #3: Hoses and Belts
You don’t have to be a certified mechanic in order to pop the hood and examine your hoses and belts. You don’t even need to know what the hoses and belts go to, or what they do in your engine. You’re looking for leaks, cracks and general problems that you’d rather deal with now, than when you’re 500 miles from home and something breaks on you.
Item #4: Battery
Your battery is one of the easier things in your car to replace if something goes wrong, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, check the terminals, and if you’re really proactive, take it out, and hook it up to a meter to see how it’s doing. Charge it up if you need to, or replace it if you’ve had it in for more than a few years.