Article written by Seth Murphy.
Traveling across the country by car can be a great way to explore new places, whether you are headed to major cities or off-the-beaten-path locales. Road trips can be a whole lot of fun and a terrific opportunity to bond with family or friends. However, before heading out on a road trip, you need to make sure your vehicle is as ready as you are for the adventure. Here are some tips you can use to make your trip safe and fun.
Check All the Fluids
Having a breakdown on the road can put a damper on your entire trip. Take a look at when your vehicle is due for a tune-up or an oil change. If it’s soon, then it’s better to have it done early rather than late.
When you are driving long distances, synthetic motor oil might be your best choice for protection against thermal breakdowns because it helps your vehicle function better in extreme temperatures. Synthetic oil can also help boost your fuel economy, which is a bonus when you are driving many miles. While you are getting an oil change, also have your filters changed and ask the mechanic to check your hoses and belts for wear.
Oil isn’t the only fluid you should worry about. Refer to your owners manual or ask your mechanic about the recommended intervals for changing your transmission fluid. Though it’s possible to change it at home, it’s usually cheap and easy to have it changed at a lube shop. You’ll also need to top off (or change) your brake fluid and power steering fluids. It’s typically recommended that brake fluid be changed every two years or 24,000 miles and power steering fluid every four years or 50,000 miles. However, these numbers vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Before leaving on the trip, add coolant and windshield wiper fluid as well.
Inspect the Battery and Tires
No one wants to deal with a dead battery in the middle of nowhere on a road trip. If your battery is only a year or two old, you probably don’t have any issues. However, if it’s older than that, check to see if the leads are tight and the terminals are free of corrosion.
According to the Department of Energy, properly inflated tires can increase your gas mileage up to 3 percent, but fuel economy isn’t the only reason you need to check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires also increase your chances of having a blowout because of the extra friction with the road. Before embarking on a road trip, use a gauge to check the pressure when your tires are cold and when you haven’t been driving for at least three hours. For optimal pressure, don’t use the number on the tires themselves (that’s the maximum pressure they can hold), but rather the correct pressure for your particular vehicle which can be found in the owners manual, on the fuel tank cap, or on the edge of the drivers door. Don’t forget to check the pressure of your spare tire as well.
Also, inspect the tread on your tires. New tires typically come with 10/32nd of an inch of tread, while the minimum tread depth you should drive on is 2/32nd of an inch. Use a penny to check the thread depth by inserting it upside down in a tread groove. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, you need new tires.
Prep the Kids
When road-tripping with kids, be sure to bring along plenty of entertainment resources, not the least of which is a tablet, iPad or smartphone.
It shouldn’t be all screen time, of course. So come prepared with game books, and don’t forget more traditional “old school” road trip games for longer trips, like “I Spy” and the alphabet game (finding a word beginning with each letter of the alphabet in chronological order, found on signage).
Of course traveling with kids can bring about some extra anxiety, so make sure you have some time for self-care as well. Eating nutritious meals, taking deep breaths, and recognizing your triggers are all effective stress management techniques.
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle and subscribe to roadside assistance
through your credit card company, insurance carrier, or a service like AAA. Don’t let mechanical problems and other car issues ruin your road trip. With a little preparation, you can get your vehicle in tip-top shape and ready to take you to exciting and interesting places.
Lastly, one of the most important things to do when prepping for a road trip is to plan your route and stops. Download our Where To Park A School Bus for free here.