Planning an epic road trip is exciting, but it’s important to keep in mind that road trips are filled with roadblocks. Some roadblocks come in the form of bad weather or road delays, others come up if you don’t check out the car before taking off for your road trip.
To have an epic road trip, make sure the car you’re going to bring is one of the comfiest and best for road trips. An SUV like Subaru Forester would be a perfect one just be sure to visit your nearest auto repair shop to get your Subaru parts and accessories check to avoid any roadblocks!
Traveling by car is sometimes more enjoyable than just flying on a plane. You can enjoy the natural view of things, and you can even take road trips with your friends. One major advantage of traveling by car is when you are traveling with your family or friends, it’s cheaper than buying plane tickets for the whole pack.
To help ease your pre-trip jitters and ensure your road trip is problem-free, here’s a 5-point road trip checklist you need to go through on your car before hitting the road on your road trip.
Check for Existing Damages
Before going for a road trip with your used car, make sure it’s safe to be driven. You may bring your car to an auto mechanic or car shop and do a thorough check of the following:
- Tire pressure and tread
- Brakes and steering system
- Body parts such as hood, doors, and trunk
- Antifreeze level and windshield wiper fluid
- Windshield, lights, and turn signals
Some road trips may last a few days. It’s important that your car is roadworthy before setting off for a road trip. If you’re going to be driving through rough terrains or crossing long stretches of road, your car may be put under extreme stress.
Check Your Car Engine
You don’t want to experience a car breakdown during a long road trip. Make sure that you check the following:
- Fluids such as engine oil and power steering fluid. These should be at their right levels, and changes in colors should be checked to ensure there are no leaks.
- Battery terminals should be free from corrosion and clamps should be tight. Make sure you turn on the lights and tap the battery terminals. You should see a spark if everything is fine.
- Cooling system check to ensure there are no leaks or clogs in hoses and radiator fins. The water level should be sufficient, and the fans should be working.
- Your car’s lights and horn – these will be essential if you’re going to face road issues.
- The engine idle – this may be the cause of your problems on long road trips as the engine will need to run at a certain temperature level, and it’s good to check this before starting off.
Check the Interior of Your Car
While road trippers will sometimes overlook roads inside the car, this is actually one of the most important road trip checklist items to consider. You may not be able to tell if your speedometer or gearbox is malfunctioning just by looking at it from the outside. A roadworthy check can help you with that.
It is also best to have your car interior cleaned before the trip to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe from bacterias and molds that may have been living inside your car over the years.
Check Your Car’s History
Even if you are the first owner of the car, it is also best to check your car’s history before traveling. You may have some issues with authorities that you are not aware of so it’s best to check your car records first before the trip.
According to Carify.com.au, if traveling on a used or second-hand car, it is very important to check your car records before the trip. Make sure your car has a clean registration record and no stolen report to avoid problems during the trip.
Whether you are just taking your car to a grocery store or a long trip, it is best to make sure your car is in good condition to ensure a safe and smooth road trip.
