![]() Have your electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. While you're at it, go ahead and have your brake pads and rotors checked, replacing them if they're worn so you can stop on a dime in an emergency situation. If you haven't had a flush in the last two or three years, get one before you leave. Check your brake reservoir for the color of the fluid and make sure that it is topped off up to the full mark. As it ages, it turns the color of maple syrup and begins rusting out your brake components. If your tires are questionable in terms of wear, or have a bubble in the sidewall from a recent bounce against a curb, it's best to install new tires now rather than take a chance on them wearing out while you're on the road.īrake fluid classified by the government as DOT3 or DOT4 (most brake fluid, in other words) is a hygroscopic mineral oil, meaning that it attracts and absorbs moisture. It's also important to look at the tread on all four tires to make sure they're not too worn or unevenly worn. If it is too low, an air hose is usually available at most gas stations. Before you hit the road, be sure to check the pressure in all four tires using a good gauge (available from your auto parts store). Look on your driver's side door, in the glove compartment or on the fuel filler door for the recommended tire pressure. But actually, the number on the tire is the maximum amount of pressure the tire can hold. Most people believe the appropriate tire pressure is listed on the tire itself. Low tire pressure can decrease fuel economy, but more important, may cause the tire to run hotter from the extra friction, leading to a blowout. Consult your owner's manual for the correct type. Not all coolants are the same and it's not a good idea to mix them, so be sure to use the same coolant type that is already in the engine. If your car is less than four years old, just check that the under-hood coolant reservoir-usually a clear plastic bottle that says "engine coolant" on the cap-is topped off. New vehicles come equipped with engine coolant designed to go 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Just in case, carry an extra set of belts along as inexpensive insurance. Consult your service manual for instructions or turn the task over to a trusted mechanic. If they're even the slightest bit ragged, torn, cracked or showing the fiber cords, it's time for fresh ones. As a precaution, buy a hose-patch kit at the local auto parts store to keep in the glove compartment.Ĭheck belts by turning them sideways with your hand so you can see the friction surface. It's easier to do it now than in the 112-degree heat of Death Valley. If your hoses have cracks or blisters, replace them. Look for bulges or blisters in hoses, which indicate a weakness in the wall. Note: A regular oil-change shop can handle the greasy job of changing and refilling fluids when you take your car in for oil changes. They are usually quite a bit longer than those for engine oil, but if your car has over 75,000 miles and you've never checked or changed these other lubricants, it's time to get busy. ![]() Check your owner's manual for their change intervals. ![]() Visit to learn more about the right oil for your road trip driving conditions and find out why you always need to use high-quality motor oils.ĭid you forget about the other fluid reservoirs in your car? Both your transmission and drive axle have their own lubricant supply. Be sure to use the correct grade of high-quality name-brand motor oils to protect the life of your engine while also maintaining optimum fuel economy to help save you money in fuel costs. If you're close to the manufacturer-recommended oil-change interval listed in your manual (you do read your manual, don't you?), then go ahead and change it. Adequately preparing these key areas of the automobile before you leave for your trip will not only keep you safe while driving, it'll also help prevent costly repairs-and no one wants to spend money fixing their car during a vacation.Ĭheck your oil levels and the date you're due for an oil change. ![]() ![]() In general, the most critical areas to check before going on a driving trip are engine fluids, radiator hoses, belts, tires and brakes. Drivers who neglect to do a quick mechanical once-over (even on newer cars) before taking to the highway are just begging to be stranded-most likely in the middle of nowhere, just out of range of the nearest cell tower, with hungry, tired kids in the back saying over and over, "Are we there yet?" Listed below are just a few important items that may slip your mental checklist in the rush to get bags packed, kids fed, the dog watered and all the maps folded the way they were when new. ![]()
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