Everybody loves a road trip; they are one of the most popular forms of travel today. This is because it allows travellers to embrace the journey, have more fun along the way, and be more private and personalised. If you are planning a road trip in the near future, then preparing your car with the right Ford parts and accessories is key to ensuring that you actually make it to the destination as opposed to breaking down on the way or experiencing car trouble which can really put a dampener on things. Let’s take a look.
Car Prep Checklist
Leading up to a road trip, there are a number of things that you will need to check to ensure that your car is ready to make the journey:
- The Tyres
First things first, you should start by looking at the tread depth of the tyres; they can wear unevenly, so remember to take a few measurements. A measurement that is too thin or too thick can be dangerous. Look up your make and model to see what is advisable for your car. After that, you should then check the tyre pressure. The manufacturer will recommend a value either in PSI or bar. If the road trip is particularly long, then having your wheels aligned and balanced might be advisable.
- Check Fluid Levels
The next thing that you should do is check the fluid levels within the engine. This includes the brake fluid, coolant, oil, water and wiper fluid. They all tend to have clearly marked minimum and maximum levels.
- Check the Brakes
This one should be somewhat obvious. After you have checked the brake fluid, you should do a check of the brakes as a whole. Look at the discs and pads. Make sure your brake lights are working. If your brakes feel spongy, then this could indicate an issue.
- The Windscreen Wipers
Britain is notoriously rainy; regardless of whether all or part of your road trip takes place in this country, it is still worth assessing your windscreen wipers. Rain isn’t the only issue that you could encounter, which would require you to use your windscreen wipers. Do the blades work as they should, or do they leave streaks and stains? In which case, they probably need replacing with some of the best wiper blades on the market.
- Clean the Exterior Lights
During a road trip, you are likely to encounter a number of things that can reduce the visibility on the roads and mean that you need to use your headlights. During the life of your car, the headlights and rear lights can get dusty and dirty, which makes them less effective. Make sure to clean them before road trips as well as replace bulbs where necessary.
- Look Over the Timing Belt
The timing belt should be in good condition with no cracks, abrasions or stains. It is also important to ensure that it is tight and there is no slack.
Optional Extras
When planning a road trip, in addition to prepping your car for the journey in terms of safety and performance, there are a few other things that you might want to consider.
- You might want to deck the car out with a few accessories like seat or steering wheel covers. You could even opt for a personalised plate from Regtransfers, all of which are DVLA-compliant. This can help personalise your car for the trip, helping you make fond memories.
- It would also make sense to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation for the trip; depending on where you plan to go, this might simply mean carrying your driving licence and having your car insurance details to hand.
- Think about what you need to pack in the car for the journey. Of course, refreshments are a must in addition to all of the personal items that you will need to pack too. Lastly, it is also worth putting together a car kit to make sure that you have everything you need in the event of a breakdown or accident. This is likely to include things like a torch, first aid kit, breakdown triangle, deicer, a pump and safety blankets.
To Sum Up
Road trips can be a great experience; they promise tonnes of fun and uniquely personal ways to travel. However, failing to prep your car properly can mean that you run into a number of issues further down the line. During your road trip, you could be choosing to quite literally take the road less travelled, and god forbid you break down. Preparing your car doesn’t have to be a monumental task; for the most part, it comes down to common sense and checking the different areas of the car to ensure that they are all working as they should without issue. Prepping the car by no means guarantees smooth sailing, but it definitely helps!
