F or weeks, if not months, you have been locked in the very same boring place. Your mind keeps wandering to locations you would rather be, but none are here. Perhaps the sunshine is too nice to ignore.
Perhaps you would love to visit a snowy location because it seldom snows around where you live. There are many people to meet, great roads you can drive on, destinations you love, and more towns you haven't visited yet. In any case, you must load your car up and head towards the highway.
Your automobile might appear fine and feels like it's ready for one long trip, but there is a possibility it is not. When you're going to be on that long road for more than 3 hours, it's well worth your time to give the car a thorough inspection before you get on that road, as nothing ruins a trip like breakdowns. Alternatively, you could be towed (but that is not so much fun, now is it?).
Here is a car checklist for road trips so you can avoid the run time trouble.
- Make Sure Your Lights are Working Properly.
Take a glance around the vehicle's front and back. Are all of your brake lights, headlights, blinkers, reverse lights, and hazard lights operational? Are there any lights that are fractured or burned out?
- Cross Check the Tire Pressure
A Tire has direct contact with that road you are about to take, and decreasing contact causes your vehicle's components to be swept up, so keep an eye on them. The majority of people assume that the recommended car tire pressure is on the tire itself. The numbers on the car tire refer to the max pressure the can tire can retain, which, when paired with excessive heat and speed, can result in a rupture.
Take precautions. In addition to that Inspect the driver's door, glove compartment and the fuel tank door when you depart with a decent gauge (available at any auto shop) as well as the air hose (should be available at any gas station).
- Cross Check Your Car’s Tire Tread
Examine tread on all the wheels to ensure that it is not excessively deteriorated or unevenly weathered. The tread depth on most new car tires is around 10/32". It is indeed time for some new tires if the tread-depth gauge reads under 2/32". A quarter can also be used. It is time to switch if this depth is below Lincoln's shoulders. If your tires are nearing the end of their useful life or got a puncture in the sidewalls from a past collision with a curb, it's preferable to replace them now rather than risk them worn out over the road.
- Prepare Ahead of Time by Renewing All of Your Paperwork
Examine the dates on your number plate sticker, passport, insurance and driving license and see when they expire. You may even wish to consider a CAA subscription or insurance to ensure that you're protected when traveling.
- Bring Only the Essentials
Generate a checklist of everything you'll need for your vacation. Consider including emergency route maps, lodging info, extra phone adapters for your car and to connect into a wall outlet, entertainment, traveling games, food, and refreshments in your luggage (nothing that leaks). Examine your emergency roadside assistance kit to ensure that it is updated.
- Give Your Car a Test Run
Listen for any noises, check for vibrations, and look for warning indicators in the gauge during a fast run along the local highway. Don't take it for granted that everything is great because you take your car out on the road every day. It's a test drive, not an everyday commute so pay attention to your vehicle. Do you hear your car tires grinding? It may be a worn-out CV joint or a damaged wheel bearing. Is the car pulling? Check for faults with the alignments or damaged car tires. When you brake, does it wobble or squeal? It could be due to a bent rotor or damaged pads. At idling, do your headlights flicker? A weak alternator belt, a malfunctioning alternator, or rusted battery terminals are most likely to blame.
You'll be able to enjoy the trip ensuring that your vehicle is in good health and prepared for your fun road trip ahead if you simply take time out to follow these measures before you start your trip.
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This post is tagged in:
- cars
- road trips
- road trip checklist
- road trip essentials
