How to Prepare for a Car Road Trip

In this this article, you will know how to properly prepare for a successful road trip by using your own vehicle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Road Map
• GPS; road/travel navigator
• your vehicle
• 2 qts. 10/40w automotive oil
• kit of automotive tools-
• 3/8" drive set of socket wrenches
• 6" flat tip screwdriver
• 6" cross tip scew driver
• 6" adjustable wrench
• pliers, slip joint
• vise grips, 10"
• heavy duct tape
• one gallon of water
• extra set of auto fuses
• one gallon of anti- freeze coolant
• radiator stop leak fluid
• radiator stop leak-in a tube roll/instant metal
• couple rags
• charged cell phone
• one blanket
• first aid kit
• one gallon drinking water
• one qt. transmission fluid
• one pint size of brake fluid
• 8-12 oz bottle of powersteering fluid with stop leak
• owners repair manual for your make/model of vehicle
• up to date auto insurance
• current vehicle registration
• knife or scissors
• funnel
• ice scaper
• tire gauge
• set of jumper cables
• flashlight with extra set of batteries
• set of emergency roadside warning triangles/or set of red warning lights
• large enough plastic storage box to fit all these items into except for the auto insurance/vehicle registration, tire gauge, map, GPS-(put these into your glove box, and next to the drivers seat)
• can of emergency tire inflater sealer
• I recommend a plug-in type tire pump with a pressure gauge.

1. 1. The first thing you should do is to make sure your vehicle is road worthy. Have your vehicle checked out by a qualified mechanic, or if do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. Have your auto insurance, driver's license and vehicle registration up to date and current. Have these with you on your trip.

2. 2. If the road trip is lengthy, I would recommend having the vehicle's oil and filter changed before the trip. If you are still okay on your engine oil, check the oil level, make sure the oil level is between the hash marks on the oil dip stick. Check these fluid levels: power steering fluid, brake fluid, radiator over container, and in older cars, unscrew the radiator cap; make sure the fluid level is about an inch below the cap. Tranmission fluid, the engine has the has to be warmed up for about 15-20 minutes before you check the transmission fluid level. Make sure the fluid level is within the hash marks on the dip stick, do not over fill the transmission fluid. Check the windshield wiper fluid level. Top any of these fluid levels if needed.

3. 3. Check your tire pressure using your tire pressure gauge. Check your air filter, replace if dirty.
   Check these:
   -condition of tires,- your life is riding on these tires
   -Horn
   -Windshield wipers; operation, and condition of wipers
   -seatbelts-make sure they do not come undone when pulled
   -headlight-low and high beam
   -turn signal lights-front and rear
   -brake lights
   -condition of rear view and side view mirrors
   -parking brake
   -spare tire
   -lug nut wrench and vehicle/tire jack-make sure these are present and operational
   -Check the condition of your fan belts; have any belts that are frayed replaced.
   -check for any leaks beneath your vehicle, if there are some, find the source and coorect theses.
   -make sure that there are no engine check lights on; if there are have these corrected by a qualified mechanic.

4. 4. On your GPS navigator, I strongly recommend purchasing one. These naviagator will save you time and money by preventing you from getting lost. It will pay for itself over time. make sure you update it periodily by connecting it to your computer and going to it's website.
   Have a detailed road map, so you can see the overall map picture of your trip.

5. 5. have your car packed up the night before you head out on your trip. Program your final destination into your road navigator. Have your cell phone charged up. Let someone know when you're going to leave for your trip, so they will be expecting a telephone call from you, or a time to expect to see you when you arrive at your destinatiion. I've always included water, soft drinks, a coffee thermos, and snacks in my car whenever I travel. You might consider doing the same. I usually bring along a pillow, music; my compact discs or a plug-in type, MP3 music device.

6. 6. Last but not the least, but most important, go to bed early, and get a FULL night's sleep. I recommend at least anything above 8 hours of sleep.
   All you have to do in the morning is, get up, shower, get dressed, and leave with your car aready packed.
   I also, recommend driving during the daytime hours. I usually head out on road trip early in the morning, so I can have the entire day to drive and not feel sleeply or tired as I would be driving at night.
   So many auto accidents are caused by driver fatigue due to driving during night hours.
   With these preparations, you better prepared for a successful road trip.
   Happy Motoring!

Tips & Warnings

• Develop a packing list so, you won't forget anything for your trip.
• Don't forget to pack your personal hygiene items.
• If you are worried about personal safety, pack a mace type personal protection item with you.
• Bring along a credit card with an availbale balance to cover all expenses,-fuel, food, gasoline, hotel/motel expenses, and any emergency vehicle expenses if they should happen.
• Bring along a camera
• Be aware of highway robbery, always lock your car whenever you exit you vehicle, even if it's just to go into a service staion's store for a minute.
• If you feel sleeply, pull over at the next reststop. Sleep.
• Keep your doors locked whenever you are in the vehicle, driving or at a rest stop.
• DO NOT PICK UP ANY HITCHHIKERS.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• When spending the night in a hotel, I recommend getting a room on the bottom floor facing the outside, and parking your car in front of it, with the trunk/ back end facing towards your hotel door.
• Always keep your belongings locked away, out of sight in your trunk, or in the back of your vehicle with a dark blanket over it.