How to Get a Vehicle Ready for a Road Trip
You decide to take a road trip. You know that you need to get your vehicle ready for this road trip, but where do you start?
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Instructions
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Check the fluids. This includes oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. If you have not changed your oil in the last 3,000 miles, now would be a good time to change it.
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2
Top off any fluids that are low. Buy extra bottles of each type to keep in the trunk, in case you should need them, and you are not near a service station.
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3
Check the brakes. Make sure your brakes are at least 50 percent. If they are lower than that, and you are driving more than 1,000 miles round trip, or if you plan on driving in mountains, have the brakes changed. Your mechanic may tell you that you do not need brakes yet, so let him know you are taking a long trip or going on a trip over mountains, and you would rather be safe than sorry.
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4
Make sure all shocks, struts and springs are in good working order. If not, now would be the time to replace them.
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Do a tune up. If it has been a while since your last maintenance update (more than three years), do the recommended maintenance for your car. If you have a timing belt and you are within a few thousand miles of the replacement time, have the timing belt replaced.
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Check to make sure all lights are working. This task is easier when you have two people. One person watches the lights while you operate the brakes, turn signals, headlights and taillights. If you are driving a truck with running lights or a motorhome, make sure all running lights are working.
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Check the tires. If the tires are showing any tread wear, replace the tires. If the tires have uneven tread wear, bring your car to an alignment shop and have them check the alignment.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the service engine soon light and any other “dummy lights” in the dash are not lit. If they are lit, bring your car to a mechanic to determine the problem. Fix the problem before you leave, even if the car seems to be running properly.
