There are many things to look forward to when taking on a road trip: sight-seeing, the long drive, trying out new things, and so much more. And a broken-down car can put your beautiful plan to shambles. If you intend to use your car for the trip, one big question you should ask yourself is, ‘how do I get my car ready for the trip?’
I mean, you don’t want your car to be the reason why you can't catch the fun you’d hoped for, do you? I didn’t think so. That’s why we, at Carpart.com.au, have prepared you a list of tips to get your car ready for the road trip and have safe travel.
How Can I Make Sure My Car Is Ready for a Road Trip?
So how do you prepare your car for such a long drive? How do you prevent minor car troubles that could potentially ruin your road trip from springing up? Nothing arduous or out of the ordinary, it turns out. Just a little maintenance can go a long way and ensure a hitch-free journey. Here are a few tips that would be helpful to get your car ready for the long trip ahead.
1. Keep Your Car Clean
You are going on a road trip and not a refuse dump competition. Your car should not be dirty, both inside and outside (eyes on you!). How you take care of your car impacts how you’re perceived. A dirty car is never impressive. More so, a dirty car puts you in danger.
A dirty windshield, for instance, reduces your ability to see clearly. And please, dirty wipers will never clean your windshield properly. Clean your car, throw out whatever dirt or junk might be in it, wash the outside, and dry it so it looks spotless. Then you’re permitted to set out.
2. Check Your Tyres
The need to check on your tyres becomes more important and necessary when you’re embarking on a long road adventure. An under-inflated or over-inflated tyre always poses a huge risk. Meanwhile, the tyre inspection should be done before you set out on your journey. Planning to gauge tyre pressure at the gas station on your route is not the way to go. For all you know, the gas station may not have a gauge.
Imagine having a deflated tyre. You waltz to the trunk only to find that your spares have deflated too! That’s why you should inspect your spare tyres. And don’t forget to pack up the basic car tools you’ll need to change a tyre.
It’s not a good idea at all to depend on roadside assistance to bail you out of every situation. Finally, on tyres, you may want to consider buying new tyres and wheels that would be more suitable to where you’re going.
3. Check the Engine Oil and Gas
Always check your engine oil levels before hitting the road, and it's even more important when you’re taking a long drive. Driving on low oil is harmful to your engine.
Meanwhile, you might need to not only top-up the oil but to change the oil completely. Driving with thinned oil is bad for engine health. It’s generally recommended to change your oil at least once every six months, depending on the intensity of use. If you haven't done an engine oil change in a while, you should consider getting it done before beginning your expedition.
Checking your gas levels and topping up the gas seems like a rather obvious task. But you'd be surprised how easily you forget to do this when you’re lost in the thrill of your expectations for the road-trip. Keep calm and ensure you have a full tank before you begin a long drive.
4. Check Your Car Battery
The sad thing about batteries is they often don’t give you warning signs. If you have used the same battery for the past 3–4 years, then it is probably time you change it to avoid any troubles on your way. Batteries are affected by weather, and since the temperature at your destination might be significantly different from your usual location, your battery could fail on you without leaving a note. It is better to change them if they have been used for so long. Here’s a guide to buying a new car battery.
5. Check Your Car’s Headlights
You might drive at night, so it is expedient for you to stay prepared for such events. Your headlights need to be at full strength so you can see even if you encounter fog or rain on your journey. Purchase top-quality headlights if yours isn’t as good as they should be. Never compromise on the headlights’ quality.
6. Check Your Car Brakes
Car mechanics will tell you that once you start hearing those squealing noises from your brakes, it means you have worn-out brake pads due for a change. If there is any unusual sound from your brakes, have them checked by a professional car mechanic. Also, inspect your brake fluid level before you set off.
FAQ: How Many Hours Can a Car Run Continuously?
This question is one worth asking. If you're going to be driving far distances non-stop, then it's smart to know just how many hours it’s safe to run a car without taking a break. The answer? There’s no definite response or specific figure to this question. But you don't have to bother, really.
Since cars can practically only run for as long as the fuel lasts and most cars can't take more than 8 hours worth of fuel in them, there’s already a cap on how far you can drive non-stop. The range is even shorter for EVs. That said, I recommend you take a 20-minute minimum pause every 8 hours.
Wrapping Up
Before you embark on your road trip, ensure your car is in the best condition. This maintenance check would help you avoid spending the majority of your summer vacation in a mechanic shop. If you feel you can't DIY your car maintenance, seek professional help. It’s even safer to have a pro mechanic do it.
Jump on CarPartAU’s blog for more helpful tips or updates and news in the automobile industry. If you’re looking for auto shops or mechanics near you, this website has an automotive-dedicated directory for people and car owners like you. And, if you need cheap auto parts and car spare parts, feel free to browse its Marketplace or request the parts you need!
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By Damilare Olasinde