Preparing For A High Octane Road Trip in the USA
When planning a road trip, especially one that involves substantial risks, you have to ensure your car is in top-notch condition. This is important to avoid any mishaps on the trip and you will have to get your car checked from top to bottom.
You can either go to a service station or do the inspection yourself. If you want to attempt the inspection and maintenance work at home, then you've landed in the right place. We have written some basic points you can go over when inspecting your car.
Let’s take a look at what these points are:
1.Tires
Regardless of its safety level, well-maintained tires are essential for any road trip.
Below is a list of things you need to check to ensure your tires are in their best condition.
Tire Rotation
Tire rotation is incredibly beneficial when it comes to prolonging the life of your tires. Vehicles these days come in all kinds of drive-wheel configurations. Some cars are front-wheel drive, some are rear-wheel drive, and then some are all-wheel drive.
You will notice that tires that receive power also undergo more wear than the tires that do not receive power. So before setting out on your road trip, it is recommended to rotate your tires, so the ones in better shape can experience the wear instead of the ones that are already worn out.
Tire rotation is recommended even if you aren’t going on road trips regularly; the recommended period after which you should rotate your tires is between 5000 miles to 8000 miles.
Tire Condition
Before setting out on a road trip, inspect your tires. Make sure there are no bulges or there isn’t any other form of damage. Check the tread on the tires to judge whether they need to be replaced or not.
A simple way to check tread at home is by using a penny. Insert the penny in between the treads, ensure Lincoln’s head is upside down, and if Lincoln’s entire head is visible after insertion, then it's time to change the tires.
This penny test indicates if your tires have started balding. Balding tires pose the risk of losing traction on the road – potentially leading to an accident.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure needs to be equal for all the tires because every vehicle is different. So read the owner’s manual to understand what kind of tire pressure is suitable for your car.
Uneven tire pressure can cause uneven wear and tear on the tires. Tire pressure will also indicate a puncture in the tire, causing air to leak out. If one tire has significantly low pressure compared to the others, then you may want to take it to a service center to get it checked.
2. Lights
Checking all the lights before the road trip can save you from a lot of hassle while on the road trip. Ensure your headlights are functioning properly; check the brake lights, the indicators, the high beam bulbs, and the reverse lights. Lights are your best friends on the highway, and without them, you wouldn't have good visibility on the road.
3. Brakes
Well, maintained brakes can be a lifesaver. Since you will be travelling at high speeds on the highway, if your brakes fail, you could end up in the hospital. So instead of running the risk of getting into an accident, make sure your brakes are working perfectly.
Below, you will find tips to check the condition of your brakes
Brake Pads
To check the brake pads, you’ll first need to remove the tires. Once the tires are removed and your brake pads look thinner than before, you'll know it’s time to change them. Another indication to change the brake pads will be if the car takes longer to come to a halt.
Brake Oil
Check the brake oil, and if it is milky, you know it’s time to change it. Get good quality brake oil that will last a long time. Also, don’t attempt this at home, because changing the brake oil is a very technical procedure.
4. Engine
This goes without saying, but if your engine isn't in top-notch condition, then you aren't going to get very far on your road trip. So checking engine health will be of utmost importance before heading out on your road trip.
Here are a few things to check and ensure the engine is in good condition:
Engine Oil
Make you put in fresh engine oil before the trip, even if your oil change isn’t due. You don’t know what kind of conditions you will experience on a risky road trip. And if you are delayed for any reason, then you might miss your regular oil change schedule.
If you are changing the oil, you will need to change the oil filter as well. Always buy a premium quality oil filter as this will prolong the life of the oil and ensure that its quality remains unchanged in between oil changes.
Coolant
The purpose of the coolant is to maintain the engine's temperature and keep it from overheating. There may be no need to change the coolant but check for leaks. Radiator leaks can cause coolant loss, which can cause your engine to overheat during a long journey.
5. Wiper Fluid
Lastly, check your windshield wiper fluid. Imagine driving on the highway and you hitting a bug on your windshield, but you can't clean it because you don't have any wiper fluid.
So top-up the wiper fluid reservoir with good quality fluid. You can also make your own by adding water and some window cleaning solution.
Conclusion
There you go, a simple checklist to go through before heading out on your risky road trip. Remember to carry a survival kit and inform friends and family about the routes you’ll be taking. Your car will be your best friend on the road. So make sure you keep it in the best condition possible, and it will get you to your destination safe and sound.
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