Planning a Holiday Road Trip? Check These 7 Things First
Holiday road trips can be exciting. But they can also become stressful quickly when a warning light comes on, a tire loses pressure, or the car starts acting differently hundreds of miles from home.
If you are planning to travel for Thanksgiving or another November getaway, give your vehicle a little attention before you leave. You do not need a complicated inspection. These seven checks can help you catch common problems before they interrupt your plans.
1. Check Your Tires
Your tires are one of the first things to check before a long drive.
Start by checking the pressure in all four tires when they are cold. Use the pressure listed by the vehicle manufacturer rather than the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
Then look over the tread and sidewalls. Watch for uneven wear, cuts, cracks, bulges, or objects that may have become lodged in the tread.
If your vehicle has a spare tire, check that as well. Some newer vehicles use an inflation kit instead, so make sure you know which setup your car has before leaving.
A five-minute tire check at home is a lot more convenient than dealing with a tire problem during a road trip.
2. Test Your Battery
A battery that has been starting the car without a problem can still be nearing the end of its useful life.
Pay attention to how the engine starts. A slow crank, clicking sound, or noticeable change in starting performance is worth investigating before a long trip.
Check the battery terminals for visible corrosion and make sure the connections appear secure.
If the battery is older or you have noticed starting issues, consider having the battery and charging system tested before you hit the highway.
3. Check Your Fluids
Before leaving town, check the fluid levels your vehicle manufacturer recommends.
This can include engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and other vehicle-specific fluids.
Oil deserves particular attention before a long trip. If your vehicle is due for an oil change, take care of it before traveling rather than putting it off until you return.
Also look around the engine compartment and underneath the vehicle for signs of leaks. A new puddle or unexplained fluid loss should be checked before you start a long drive.
4. Make Sure Your Lights Work
Holiday travel can mean driving early in the morning, after sunset, or through changing weather. Good visibility matters for you and for the drivers around you.
Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, and parking lights.
Do not forget your license plate light if your vehicle is equipped with one.
Give your headlights and other exterior lights a quick cleaning, too. Dirt and road film can reduce the amount of light reaching the road.
5. Check Your Wipers and Windshield
A clean windshield makes it easier to see traffic, road signs, and changing conditions.
Inspect the wiper blades for cracks or damage and test them with washer fluid. If they leave streaks or skip across the glass, replace them before your trip.
Top off your windshield washer fluid as well. It is one of those small things that is easy to overlook until you need it.
If you notice a chip or crack in the windshield, consider having it assessed before a long trip. Changes in temperature and road conditions can make existing damage more noticeable.
6. Pay Attention to the Brakes
A holiday road trip is not the time to ignore changes in braking performance.
Before you leave, think about how your brakes have felt recently. Do you hear a new squeal or grinding sound? Does the vehicle vibrate when braking? Does the pedal feel different? Does the vehicle pull to one side?
These symptoms can have different causes, but they all deserve attention.
If you have noticed a change, have the braking system inspected before heading out. It is better to address a concern at home than to discover it halfway through a long drive.
7. Check Your Emergency Supplies
Finally, spend a few minutes making sure you have the basics you may need if your trip does not go exactly as planned.
Depending on your vehicle and route, useful items can include:
- Phone charger
- Flashlight
- Jumper cables or a suitable jump starter
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire inflation equipment
- Emergency warning devices
- Water and snacks
- Warm clothing or a blanket
You should also make sure you have your vehicle registration, insurance information, and roadside assistance details available.
You may never need your emergency supplies. But knowing where they are can make an unexpected delay much easier to manage.
One More Thing: Know Your Route
Your car is not the only thing worth preparing before a holiday road trip.
Check your route before you leave, especially if you are traveling through areas where weather or road conditions can change quickly. Give yourself extra time rather than planning a schedule that leaves no room for traffic, stops, or delays.
And remember to take breaks on longer drives. A road trip is much more enjoyable when you are not trying to rush through it.
Give Your Car a Head Start on the Holidays
A holiday road trip should be about where you are going, not whether your vehicle is going to make it there.
Checking your tires, battery, fluids, lights, wipers, brakes, and emergency supplies before you leave takes much less time than dealing with an avoidable vehicle problem on the road.
If you are heading out of St. George, Utah, for Thanksgiving or another holiday trip and want your vehicle checked before you go, Fox’s Friendly Auto can help you make sure your car is ready for the miles ahead.