Koons White Marsh Chevrolet

Jun 23, 2022

Road trips are an icon of American culture, known for bringing families and friends together as they traverse through different landscapes along their journeys. With just around the corner, there’s no better time to hit the road with loved ones than when the sun is shining bright and kids are out of school. While road trips can be fun for people of all ages, they also require a certain level of planning beforehand to ensure a safe and successful journey. 

Our team at Koons White Marsh Chevrolet put together this guide to prepare your vehicle for a road trip. With these four steps, you can feel confident in your vehicle’s reliability and focus your efforts on having an unforgettable time. 

CHECK YOUR VEHICLE’S FLUIDS

Before you head out on a road trip, it’s important to ensure that your vehicle’s fluids are all at their proper levels. There are several fluids that each play a critical role in your car’s ability to function. Perhaps most critical is the vehicle’s engine oil. Take your car to a mechanic and ask them to check your motor oil. If your oil’s low, take the steps to fill it with the right type and to the proper level. Clean oil keeps your car running by lubricating the motor, making it possible for the engine to work. If you need an oil change, we can take care of that for you.

There are plenty of other fluids that impact your vehicle’s ability to run smoothly. Other elements to consider before going on a road trip include your car’s transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant to avoid having your motor overheat. It’s also important to have an adequate amount of windshield wiper fluid throughout your drive in case you encounter elements that can impair your vision, such as mud, rain, or insects. 

CHECK YOUR VEHICLE’S TIRES

Another important step to take before leaving on a road trip is checking your vehicle’s tires. You want to make sure that your tires are in good condition to sustain long periods of driving, especially if you’re planning to travel through rough terrain. Have a mechanic check your tire air pressure and fill them up to the amount recommended by the manufacturer. A tire rotation may also be beneficial if you haven’t gotten the service within the past 5,000 miles. Check your service records to confirm the last time you got a rotation to decide if it’s necessary.

Carefully inspect your tires for any unusual bumps or foreign objects that may lodge themselves into the rubber. These can cause slow leaks that can go unnoticed for some time and can be dangerous if left alone. Before setting out on your trip, make sure you have a spare tire in your vehicle and that it’s in good condition. Should you have to change a tire throughout your travels, you can feel confident that your spare can sustain you until you have access to an auto shop or dealership service center. 

CHECK YOUR VEHICLE’S EXTERIOR

While your car’s interior workings are certainly important for its proper functioning, so is its exterior condition. Take a good look at your vehicle’s exterior to determine if you’re in need of any maintenance or service. Consider checking your mirrors to make sure they provide you with adequate visibility, which you’ll need when traveling on the highway and changing lanes. Check your headlights, taillights, and brake lights to ensure they’re in working order and to avoid the possibility of getting a ticket or causing confusion on the road. Ask someone to watch from behind as you test your brake lights. 

Another element you may want to double check is your windshield wipers. Having functioning windshield wipers is an important safety element for any trip, but especially if you’re planning on traveling throughout long distances. Test them out before you go on your trip to ensure they operate smoothly and can wipe away water and debris you may encounter on the road. Windshield wipers are crucial for navigating through rain. If you’re driving on the highway and happen to encounter a rough rain storm, you’ll be thankful that you have strong windshield wipers for added visibility. 

CLEAN YOUR VEHICLE

Clean the inside and outside of your vehicle before your road trip for a more comfortable drive. If you’re planning on taking luggage, cleaning out any junk that’s built up in the past months can help free up space in your car. Even if you like to travel light, having a clean interior can make the ride feel more comfortable for both the driver and passengers. Before your trip, take a garbage bag out to your vehicle and dump out any leftover debris, including common items like napkins, water bottles, tissues, and old face masks. 

You can finish your interior cleanup by adding an air freshener to make your drive feel more luxurious. When cleaning the exterior of your vehicle, consider taking it to a cash wash or a car detailer to spruce it up. If you’re more of the do-it-yourself type, gather some common car-washing supplies like microfiber rags, car shampoo, and some wax to give your vehicle that like-new sheen. Avoid using any harsh sponges that may create unsightly scratches on your car’s exterior and consider. If you can’t find car shampoo, dish soap can work just as well at removing grime. So, there you have it. That’s our list of steps you can follow to prepare your vehicle for a long road trip. If you follow these steps, your chances of having car issues throughout your trip are likely to be significantly decreased. Have more questions about ways to maintain the condition of your vehicle? Interested in buying or a leasing a new Chevrolet? Contact us today at Koons White Marsh Chevrolet in White Marsh, Maryland, and a member of our staff would be more than happy to assist you in any way they can.

Image via Flickr by Adam Freidin | Licensed by CC BY 2.0