A well-maintained car is essentially required to have a hassle-free and safe journey before reaching your next destination. The car must be in good condition to avoid any breakdowns on the road while traveling. Also, it must be sturdy and spacious enough to hold all the belongings that are required for the trip.
An all-rounder servicing of the car is an essential task that needs to be done before the start of any trip. This will help to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted road trip and help the passengers reach their destination on time. The following tips will help you make your car travel-ready before your next destination:
1. Check Your Roof Racks
Before starting the journey, it is essential to check the roof racks of the car. Most of the cars come with UTE roof racks that are sturdy and can accommodate what you need for a perfect journey.
Most of these racks are used to carry luggage and other big and heavy materials. Make sure to install and fit these roof racks properly before starting any journey for a hassle-free experience. Look for roof racks that fit your specific vehicle’s make and model, such as a Discovery 2 roof rack.
2. Monitor the Battery Health
This is one of the vital tasks you should complete before starting a journey with your loved ones. Ensure that the battery is in good and working condition to prevent any breakdown during the trip. A good battery will ensure a smooth travel experience and charge during long travel hours. It should be fully charged before commencing any journey.
3. Check the Battery Fluid Level
You will mostly rely on your car’s battery on a long road trip. So before hitting the highway, make sure there is enough battery fluid. Check if the wires are correctly connected or not. The average battery life is three years for a standard car in most cases. If your battery is older than that or having trouble starting the car, consider changing the battery before the trip.
4. Gather Important Documents Before the Trip
It is essential to carry all the car’s documents while you are traveling to your destination. This includes the driving license, auto insurance papers, repair works documents, pollution control certificate, etc. These documents will come in handy in the case of a police verification check near the toll booths or if you need to cross any state/country borders.
In some cases, an ID is needed to stay in a hotel for the night. While not every hotel will insist on ID, it does not hurt to stay prepared, right?
5. Check The Headlamps
The car’s headlamps must be in proper working condition as they play a vital role in providing clear visibility during the dark. It is essential to analyze your lighting accessories and to replace the non-working ones at the earliest possible opportunity. Also, to be on the safer side, check the emergency lights and essential indicators like turn signals.
6. Check Locks And Seats
To have a comfortable experience, make sure that the seats are well maintained and are clean. The seat belts should be adjustable as that provides more safety during travel. Also, to ensure safety for the passengers, the locks must be working fine and should be easy to open and close whenever required.
7. Perform a Fuel and Exhaust System Check
The car should come with enough fuel capacity to have a smooth journey for the passengers. Check the fuel level before starting the journey and ensure that the gas tank is filled. Also, check the exhaust systems and opt for a pollution control check to understand the working condition of the vehicle.
8. Check the Brakes and Steering
Make sure to check the condition of the brakes and steering of the car before starting the journey. Brakes tend to become stiff if not used for a long time. Use lubricants and oils to smooth the brakes and steering before starting the journey.
9. Check the Air Conditioning System
To have a soothing travel experience, you should check the cooling capacity of the air conditioners present inside the car. They must be in proper working condition and should provide sufficient cool air for a comfortable experience. This comes in handy, especially during the summer days when the outside temperature is higher compared to the normal.
10. Perform a Tire Check
Ensure that the tires are in working condition and that they have deep enough grooves for a safe journey. In an emergency or breakdown, a spare tire can help you reach your destination easily.
Have a safety check for the tires as they play a vital role in controlling the car’s speed. Also, make sure that there is sufficient pressure inside the tires to provide a smooth and comfortable ride.
It is also important to change them before road trips because tires are an important part of the car because they provide a better grip on the road, stability, and safety. They also improve gas mileage and protect the rims of the car. So when you decided to change them just contact a car mechanic or read some specific reviews of different tire brands which will help you with detailed information about the tire brand and their features.
11. Bring an Emergency Kit
Make sure that you carry an emergency kit while traveling in the car. This can be helpful in the case of any accidents or burns while traveling from one place to the other. Also, it ensures safety for the passengers.
Also, keep the contact numbers of emergency services like hospitals and clinics nearby that can be useful in case someone falls sick while traveling. It saves some time and may end up saving somebody’s life when they are out on the road.
12. Monitor the Air Filter
Your engine air filter can get damaged easily, as it collects debris and dust to prevent them from entering your vehicle’s engine. If you are planning for a long trip and haven’t changed or cleared the air filter for a while, you must consider changing it before the trip. A clogged air filter massively affects the acceleration of a vehicle.
