Warmer weather is finally here, and you’re probably already planning your next road trip. But before you go, there are a few things you should do to get your car ready for your travels. From making sure your check engine light isn’t on to checking windshield wipers size, here are a few road trip preparation tips and must-haves.
Be Sure to Check if Your Check Engine Light On
It’s never a good sign if you hop into your car for a road trip and wonder “why is my engine light on?” To avoid this unfortunate situation, take the time to check for an engine light in the weeks before your trip. You may also want to take your car to an auto shop a couple of weeks before your trip. That way, if there are any issues you aren’t aware of, you can get them fixed before you leave. Failing to have your vehicle checked out before a road trip could result in you stuck on the side of a road with car problems in an area you aren’t familiar with.
Always Make Sure You Have a Pair of Windshield Wiper Replacements
Windshield wipers are easy to forget about until you get caught in a rainstorm while you’re driving across the state or country. If your windshield wipers no longer work very well, it’s time to think about windshield wiper replacement. Don’t forget to check your windshield wipers size when ordering replacement wipers.
Car Insurance and Registration Information
Hopefully you will never get pulled over for a traffic violation while you’re traveling. But if you do, you’ll need to make sure you have your car insurance and registration information with you. If you forget, you could end up with hefty fines if you do get pulled over. In the days leading up to your road trip, put your most current car insurance and registration information in your glove compartment.
Replenish Coolant
If your car doesn’t have sufficient coolant for your upcoming trip, it could overheat. To make sure this doesn’t happen, check your coolant levels before you go. If they’re low at all, replenish them. You can also take your car in to have all fluid levels checked and replenished if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
Make Sure Tires Are in Good Condition
A blown tire can quickly ruin a road trip, but it can usually be prevented. Before your trip, take a good look at all of your tires. Make sure they have good tread and aren’t showing signs of uneven wear. If the tires are wearing unevenly, have them aligned before you go. If the tread is less than 2/32”, or if you can see the tread wear indicator bars, don’t go on any long trips without replacing your tires first.
Going on a road trip can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re properly prepared. Take the time to check all of these potential issues before you go and you’ll be more likely to enjoy your trip instead of worrying about flat tires and other possible problems.
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