Vacations are supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation, but the difference between pleasure and misery often lies in whether or not you took the proper steps to get your car ready for that long trip.
Before you leave home, there are simple steps you can take to protect your vehicle, your trip and your loved ones. You can tackle each of these quickly before you hit the road:
• Change oil and filter.
• Change air filter.
• Change spark plugs.
• Make sure your tyre iron and jack are in the car.
• Check your spare tyre.
• Get a spare key for the car and keep it in your wallet or elsewhere with you in case you lock your keys in the car.
• Bring a plastic funnel to add water or other fluids. Bring a water bucket in case you need to use a river or lake for emergency coolant.
• Always fill your gas tank when it is half full. Don’t wait too long.
• Make sure your owner’s manual is handy.
In addition, you should make a checklist of items to pack in a car survival kit. These can include:
• A chain or thick towing rope;
• Electric charger wire;
• Flashlight;
• Screw drivers and wrenches of different sizes;
• Bungee cords;
• Pliers;
• Hammer.
Before packing up, make one final check of the following:
• Check condition of the tyres.
• Check the tread of the tyres and look for signs of strain, bulges or other damage.
• Tyre pressure: Don’t over-inflate.
• Wipers and wiper fluid: When the rain falls, you don’t want to discover your wipers are useless. In addition, bug hits can really mess a windshield, so you’ll need a full fluid reservoir.
• Check coolant.
• Flush radiator, if you haven’t done so in a while.
• Check fuses and horn.
• Check high and low beam headlights.
• Check oil, power steering and brake fluid.
• Check loose cables, heater and air conditioner, if making a seasonal trip.
With proper preparation before a trip, and a good attitude during a journey, you will not only survive a long trip but also enjoy it.
