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If you are planning a long road trip, you need to make sure that your car is ready to go. You have to check the car over to make sure that you will have no mechanical problems on the road. It is also important to make sure that the operation of the vehicle is good. You should have a checklist of things to go over before you leave on a trip. Even if you feel the car is running and driving well to and from work, it doesn’t mean that it is able to last for a long trip. Short driving trips and long driving trips are very different when it comes to how a vehicle will perform.
Check Under The Hood
The first thing on the list to check is under the hood. You must check the oil, transmission fluid, coolant, battery, hoses and belts. The engine is going to be working longer on a long drive and the belts will be working harder than they do when you take small trips. Make sure that the hoses are not brittle and cracked. It is always better to change the oil before a long trip and make sure that the transmission fluid is clear and not cloudy or dark looking.
Check the tires, suspension and the steering. Make sure the tires have the proper tire pressure and check that the tread is good enough for driving. If there is uneven wear on the tires, they should be replaced with new tires and the front end should be checked. It is possible that the uneven tire wear is because the front end needs an alignment. A mechanic should check the suspension and steering. If you are feeling vibration or knocking when you drive the car, it could indicate problems with the suspension or the steering. This needs to be corrected before any long trip.
Check Equipment
Before the trip, check the lights, wipers and horn. It is also wise to carry some spare bulbs along on the trip. A spare set of wipers may also be on the list of extra things to bring along. Check the window washer fluid and carry a gallon of washer fluid along on the trip. Then check the AC and the heater. If there are any problems or noises when operating the heat or AC, have a mechanic check the heating and cooling system before a trip. This is true for anytime you drive the car.
What To Keep In The Car
Before any long trip, you need to check the car, but you also have to keep some things in the car for safety. A spare tire and a jack are needed. The spare tire should be checked to make sure it is holding air. The jack should be made for the car and the lug nut wrench must be the right size. Using a lug nut wrench that is not the size of the lug nuts on the car can cause damage. If there are wheel locks on the car, make sure to keep the key in the glove box at all times. Without the key, you will not be able to change a flat tire.
An emergency kit should always be in the car when travelling on a long trip. You should have a tool kit with common sockets, pliers and screwdriver, flashlight, gloves, tire gauge, tire sealer inflator can and jumper cables. Duct tape and flares can also be included in the emergency kit. If the trip is long and the weather is cold, you will also want to take a blanket, some food and some water in case you have to sit in the car due to an accident or you run out of gas.
Keeping the car in good driving condition should be done at all times, but when you plan a trip, you must make sure that everything on the car is checked and working correctly. A mechanic would also check brake lines, CV boots and tie rods as well as fuel lines and other parts of the engine. You need to have everything working correctly to ensure that your long trip is safe and enjoyable. Driver safety is also important when driving for long distances.
Source:
www.samarins.com
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