Now that this summer is here, everyone is eager to hit the road in search of accommodation. However, before you go on a long car trip, be sure to check that your vehicle is ready to go as well.
To help you prepare before starting the engine, we have compiled a list of seven essential car checks to do before a long trip.
Check Your Tires
If you drive long distances and travel miles and miles, you will need a smooth ride. That is why it is so important to keep your tires in perfect condition.
Keeping tire pressure constant is critical for ride quality and will ensure your tires last as long as possible. There are two ways to find out the recommended pressure for your tires.
Your vehicle’s manual will contain a list of the optimal tire pressures for the front and rear tires, based on the number of occupants and the weight you expect to carry in the vehicle.
Most cars also have this information on a label on the driver’s side door frame. Be sure to follow the instructions, an over-inflated or under-inflated tire can cause potential problems. Driving a vehicle with uneven tires can also cause it to use too much fuel.
All new cars are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system that will notify you of any pressure leaks. But even if you have this feature, you don’t have to give up manual security checks.
It is a good idea to check the general condition of your tires by checking the pressure , lumps, bumps, lacerations, or cuts on the sidewall can lead to serious failures if ignored. Although the bumps on the sidewalls cannot be repaired, they show that the tire is not safe and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Tires are illegal if you find a gap greater than 25mm or a wound deep enough to expose the cables.
Cracks in the side walls are a sign of general aging or exposure to sunlight or salty air. Usually, your tires wear out before they start to show signs of aging. However, it can become a problem for tires that are not used frequently, such as caravans and trailers.
Lastly, be sure to keep an eye on the tread of your tires. The legal tread depth is 1.6 mm, but most tire shops and workshops will recommend changing tires if the tread depth is less than 2 mm. There are two ways to check the depth of the tread yourself.
All tires have a built-in tread wear indicator; These are small rubber grooves in the tire groove, indicating the legal limit of the tread. If they are flush with the outer shell of the tire, it is time to replace the tires.
You can also monitor your footprint with a 20p test. Just put a 20p piece in the deepest part of your frame. If you cannot see the outside of the coin, your rim is legal, but you will need to replace the bezel if the outside of the coin is visible.
If you have a spare wheel in the trunk of your car, it’s also worth a look. No matter how excited you drive, you may need it at some point.
Put Your Lights To The Test
There may be more daylight during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you need to forget about headlights, which is why it should be on your car’s checklist before a road trip.
We know that there is a lot to remember when equipping a car, but making sure all lights and headlights are working is easy and should not take more than two minutes.
You will need someone to help you when you return them, so start the engine, take your helper around the car, and make sure everything is okay. Remember to check the gauges, brake lights, and hazard lights; you do not want any surprises when you are on vacation.
Monitor Engine Oil Level
When you check the exterior of your car before a long trip, it can be very easy to forget what goes on under the hood. To keep everything healthy under the hood, you must keep an eye on your car’s engine oil.
Check the oil when the engine is cold, and you are standing on level ground. Then, all you have to do is open the hood and find the dipstick. Take it out, wiping off all the oil just enough to see the two distinctive markings, setting the maximum oil levels.
Dip it back into its tube, give it time to settle, and remove it again so you can see the oil level. If the mark is halfway between the two points, you are good to go. But if it is below this midpoint, it is advisable to increase the oil because lower levels can cause damage and cause the engine to overheat. There are many different motor oils, so you must choose the right oil for your car.
As we all know, visibility is vital when driving, and if you’re heading too far on vacation, you don’t want to damage your vision. Also, during the summer months, pollen and flowers can fall on your car’s windshield, so it makes sense to stay flush with the windshield wiper.
The windshield wiper is specifically designed to keep the windshield clean. It helps prevent windshield wiper blades from damaging the screen, and because it has a water softener, it will keep your car pipes and jets sparkling.
To replace the windshield wiper, you will need to find a car wash bottle. You can find it if you look in your car manual, but you might be able to find it without it – the cap is usually blue, although it can sometimes be white or black. The top of the cover should be easily recognizable because it will have a picture of the windshield with water droplets.
However, check your car’s manual before you start pouring in the windshield wiper. Each car has a different capacity, and you do not want to damage your car, especially before driving long distances.
When you’re under the hood, it’s a good idea to check the other important lubricants and fluids your vehicle needs to function properly as well.
Fill Your Fuel Tank
It may seem like the most obvious option before a long trip, but you would be surprised how many people got off without enough gas in the tank.
Check The Electrics
All vehicles (especially electric ones) need a car battery to function. So if your car remains unused for a long time, be sure to start it beforehand to ensure that the battery does not drain.
If the battery dies, you can reactivate it with connecting cables and another vehicle with a fully charged battery. If that fails, it can be replaced at home or in a local garage.
If you are going on vacation in your motorhome or caravan, be sure to recharge or replace the recreational battery before setting off. These batteries are necessary to power onboard devices such as lights, kitchen appliances, and television. It is safe to use up to 50% of the battery charge in your spare time, after which it is recommended to recharge it.
Keep Your Technology Gadgets
If you plan to drive a long distance, it is always good to have some technology in the car to help you on the journey. The right in-vehicle technology can help you know your exact destination, keep passengers entertained, and even take snapshots of what goes wrong on the road.
We know that some of you rely on satellite navigation to get to your final destination, so be sure to pack it. There’s nothing worse than driving on a new road and unexpectedly getting a speeding ticket.
You will most likely need to plug in your phone during a long trip, so be sure to pack your tech accessories.
Packing a dashcam is something to add to your vehicle’s checklist before a road trip. It is a device that can provide great comfort before a long car trip as it records all your time on the road. Also, if the worst-case scenario happens and you are involved in an accident, it is a good idea to have a set when working things out with insurance.
Author: AutoStoreQa