There are two types of road trips in this world, the ones that are carefully planned out and go successfully, then there are the spur of the moment ones that can be fun but often turn into a nightmare. Determining which type of road trip, you’re going to have is easy if you prepare correctly. From the items you pack in your car, to the maintenance checks you carry out beforehand and the route you’re planning to take, having it all planned out can make a big difference to your journey.
Below, we’ll take a look at how you can prepare your car for an upcoming road trip in this step-by-step guide.
Carry out a maintenance check
Whether your routine service is months away or has only just taken place, it’s still best to carry out a routine maintenance check before you travel a long distance. Let’s start off with the basics. This includes things like ensuring your oil and windscreen wiper fluid is topped up, checking if the windscreen wipers need replacing in case you encounter bad weather, check the battery is fully charged, ensuring all lights are working and stock up on spare bulbs if you’re going somewhere remote, ensuring you have a full tank of fuel, and checking the AC and heat are working correctly.
Let’s not forget one of the most important maintenance checks too, checking your tires! The easiest way to check this is to insert a 20p coin into the tire tread. If you can see the outer band of the coin, then your tires are above the legal limit. If the band is visible however, then your tires could be unsafe. The legal tire tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tire.
If in doubt then it is best to get some new tires put on, especially if you are traveling a long distance. Investing in tires like quality lionheart tires is a good option as they will last longer and be safer than budget tires that may blow out easier or need to be changed quicker. If you’re not getting new tires, then it is always a good idea to check the air pressure at a local garage or with an at-home tool to ensure they’re completely full.
Useful gadgets to have in your car
Social media is saturated today with reels on the latest Amazon products that you need to create a life hack, including overpacking your car. However, there are some useful gadgets that are not unnecessary and will make life on your road trip much easier.
Rooftop box – A rooftop box is a valuable space saver to have and makes your journey more comfortable as you’re not cramming bags into every crevice of your car. Just be sure to pack the bags you need during the journey in the back and not up top.
A car cooler – A car cooler box is a valuable thing to have in your car as it enables you to pack your perishable lunch items, as well as water and other cold drinks you’ll need on your journey. This can prevent you from having to take so many breaks that make your journey longer, as well as preventing you from having to buy expensive service station sandwiches.
Car coolers are made so that they easily plug into the car outlet in the boot of your car.
A car pillow – This may sound unnecessary, but you will sure be grateful for it when the passengers’ heads start flopping from side to side as they’re trying to get in a nap. They can be saved for overseas air travel too. There are also pregnancy pillows to that can be utilized when travelling.
Overall, preparing your car for a road trip may seem like a simple task but it’s one that many people overlook. By following the above steps, you will not only have a more comfortable journey but a safer one too.
