Road trips are one of the most fun types of vacations. However, to get the most out of them, you need to be prepared. It is not fun to be broken down on the side of the highway.
To ensure your next road trip goes off without a hitch, follow the advice in this guide. We will tell you everything you need to know to get your car ready, including providing a helpful pre-trip maintenance checklist.
Let’s get started!
Why Should You Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip?
It may seem obvious that cars need to be prepared for a road trip. However, you may be surprised at how many people ignore this important step. Therefore, we should discuss the reasons why we always recommend preparing your car for a road trip.
Most crucially, cars that are not prepared for a road trip, especially a long trip, are more likely to break down. Older vehicles will be even more prone to system failures. Thus, the older your car, the more important it is that you prepare it well before getting on the road.
No one wants to have their car fail while driving. Not only can this problem lead to a dangerous situation, but it also could leave you stranded. In Utah and Idaho, many locations are very distant from other people. You may not even have a cellphone signal in the mountainous areas. The only way to ensure that you remain safe and connected during your road trip is to prepare well before the trip begins.
Pre-Trip Maintenance Checklist
Now that you know why it is so important to have a well-prepared road trip vehicle, we can get into specifics. Below, we will discuss the many steps you should take to keep your vehicle in good working order before your next road trip.
Preparing your car primarily involves ensuring the health and maintenance of the vehicle. The best way to achieve this aim is to stay on top of your scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenance involves tasks such as oil changes, tire rotations, and other fluid checks.
Your owner’s manual will tell you the tasks you need to complete and when to contact a mechanic. At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, our expert team can also help you determine the best maintenance for your vehicle. If you stay on track with this schedule, you will have much less to check when you start planning your next road trip.
Even with regular scheduled maintenance, there are a few things you will need to do to get your car ready for a long road trip. We cover them all in the checklist below. You can easily complete the following tasks at home.
Make sure to check:
- The battery
- The coolant level
- The oil level
- The tire pressure: do not forget to check the spare
- The tire tread
- The car lights, including the headlights, high beams, brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights
- The wipers
- The washer fluid
If you notice low fluid or problems with any of the above items, then it is time to contact a good mechanic. Some people prefer to have professionals complete the above checks. That should not be a problem either. Good mechanics, like those at Ethan’s Honest Automotive, are happy to help you with all of your pre-trip needs.
In addition to the checks listed above, you should also always have a professional mechanic do a more comprehensive examination of your vehicle. Here are a few of the most important maintenance tasks for your mechanic.
- Check brakes.
- Inspect belts and hoses.
- Top off all fluids if low.
- Replace filters as needed.
- Rotate the tires or replace them if the tread is low.
- Test and repair (if needed) the A/C or heating system depending on the season.
Other Things to Consider When Planning a Road Trip
Okay, you have completed all of the tasks on the maintenance checklist. It is time to get on the road, right?
Just a minute. There are a few other things you should consider before beginning your road trip.
- Make your own or purchase a roadside emergency kit: This kit should include everything you would need in a vehicle emergency, such as a first-aid kit, water, flashlight, warm clothes or blankets for the winter, snacks, a phone charger, and emergency flares.
- Consider stocking your vehicle with maintenance essentials: These items should include extra coolant and oil, rags, duct tape, and a basic tool set.
- Clean your car before the road trip: This task is not essential. However, it may make for a more comfortable and enjoyable road trip experience. No one wants to spend hours in a dirty car. Taking a few minutes to clear out the trash, wipe down the car’s interior, and drive through a car wash can go a long way towards making the road trip fun for everyone.
- Get enough sleep the night before the road trip: Being rested is essential whenever you drive, but it is even more important for road trips. A rested driver is a safe driver. Therefore, the single best thing you can do to prepare yourself for your road trip is to get an appropriate amount of sleep the night before it begins.
Road trips are a fun way to see more of the United States, and the more prepared you and your vehicle are, the more fun you will have. It does not matter whether you are planning a long road trip or a short one. Use the checklists provided in this article to get your car ready for your next road trip adventure.
If you need help preparing or have questions about the maintenance your vehicle needs to be ready for a road trip, contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive. We provide the Cache Valley and Southeast Idaho with the best and most trustworthy mechanic services around.
