It’s almost that time of year again. Time to pack the car and take off and leave (most of) your worries behind- it’s roadtrippin’ time! YOU may be feeling completely ready for an adventure, but it’s likely your car isn’t. Nothing stalls a family vacation or get-away with friends faster than car troubles.
Whether your trip is 100 kms or 1,000, it’ll pay to get your car up to speed on all of its regular maintenance. The easiest way to safeguard your road trip is to let a mechanic perform a full safety inspection (including oil change if needed) on your car a week or two before your trip, that way if something needs fixing it would give the repair shop time to take care of it.
If you’re a do-it yourselfer, here are some must-do’s to get your adventure wagon ready for hittin’ the road:
Check the Oil
Check the level and condition of the car’s motor oil. Change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or as recommended in your owner’s manual.
Check Your Brakes
It’s critical that your brakes are in tip-top shape before you take off on a long road trip. When in doubt, have your brakes inspected by a mechanic.
Inspect the Battery
Make sure your car’s battery and cables are securely attached and free of corrosion. Car batteries typically last three to five years.
Try the Lights
Get a friend or neighbour to help with this. Check the headlights, brake lights and turn signals and replace if burnt out.
Kick the Tires
Take a close look at your tires. Are they bald? Dry? Good, well-maintained tires are critical to braking and steering. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner’s manual and on the placard in your car door. Inflate or deflate your tires as needed. The same goes for windshield wipers. If your blades are more than six months old, odds are it’s time to swap them out for new ones.
Clean In and Out
Give your car a good top to bottom cleaning. Removing unnecessary items from the trunk and backseat will help with fuel economy and will help protect you should an accident occur. Making sure your windows are clean will also improve your visibility.
Check Fluids
Important fluids to check include brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluid. And don’t forget to top up your wiper fluid! Also, check the level of coolant or antifreeze. If the coolant level is too low, your car could overheat.