While taking off on a road trip adventure is great fun, breaking down in the middle of nowhere is a colossal pain. Follow this quick checklist and have a trusted auto mechanic take care of basic car maintenance before you go. Perhaps a complete tune-up is in order. Let your mechanic take a look and decide. At the very least, make sure the following vital facets of proper car maintenance are covered.
Have all fluids checked before you go. If you expect to drive in remote areas, tuck a spare quart of engine oil under your seat. For winter driving, take along plenty of windshield washer fluid, particularly in cities where visibility is reduced when slush and road salt splash onto your windshield. Keep a gallon jug of water in the trunk for radiator emergencies.
Have your mechanic check out the entire hose system and make sure they''re all in good shape and connections are tightly secured.
Think about it this way: Tires are your only grip on the road. Make sure the treads are deep enough to ensure proper traction. Check tire pressure frequently (now and throughout your trip). The number on the side of your tires represents maximum pressure. Do not surpass it. Over-inflation can result in a blowout. Consult your owner''s manual for the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. Be sure to check the spare tire to make sure it''s in good condition. The best time to check your tires'' pressure is when they are cold, that is they haven''t been driven in three hours or more.
Prepare for problems and they won''t occur. Keep a pen and paper in your glove box to take down insurance information in case of an accident. A disposable camera will help you get evidence and license plate information. Other safety items, particularly for night driving, include a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kid, a toolkit, flares, a can of Fix-A-Flat® and a cell phone. If you''re driving an older car, traveling in the winter or planning to drive in areas with sparse towing services, a set of jumper cables might come in handy.
Have your car checked out at least two weeks prior to the beginning of your road trip. That will be enough time to schedule a complete tune up and/or any necessary repairs. This will also give you the opportunity to test drive the car afterward, to make sure the repairs have been done properly.
While no one can guarantee that you''ll avoid road problems altogether, you can do your best to prevent them in the first place.