Tips for Car Maintenance on Long Drives

Verify tires are adequate to the distance.

Whether planning a family vacation road trip or simply using your car to visit a long-distance friend or move cross-country, the last thing you need are car problems on the road. By planning ahead and doing some routine car maintenance before your long drive, ensure that both your road trip and your car stay on track.

Check Tire Tread

Tire tread keeps the vehicle rolling along safely along without losing grip on the asphalt. Before heading out on your long drive, check the tread by inserting a Lincoln penny between the tread grooves. If the top of the rubber only reaches the top of Abe Lincoln's forehead, or doesn't even reach this mark, it's time to replace the tire. Driving your car with low-tread tires increases your chance of experiencing a flat or a blowout -- definitely not something needed on a long drive.

Refill the Fluids

Before you depart on your trip, check the vehicle's fluid levels of oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid -- simple procedures that should take only five minutes. Top off these fluid supplies if needed, depending on your manufacturer's specifications. Then, while on your actual road trip, check your oil again at every other gas stop when you're filling up your tank.

Clean the Battery

Every summer, approximately 1.7 million road-tripping drivers experience dead batteries during their travels, reports the AAA. Before you head out, pop your car's hood and check battery cables are securely clamped onto the battery terminals. The average car battery lasts only three to five years; if your battery has been in use for this period, get it tested by your auto service center to avoid having a dead battery halfway through your journey.

Tire Pressure

An underinflated or overinflated tire can increase the risk of blowouts and other problems, and negatively affects gas mileage. Check the tire pressure before you leave for your drive, and ideally every time you stop for gas. Don't use the tire pressure recommendations printed on the tire itself. Instead, use the recommendations printed in your car's manual.

Clear Out Your Trunk

Drivers account for approximately 67 percent of America's oil usage, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This usage doesn't just affect the nation, but also your wallet every time you go to the gas station. Before your road trip, take out everything in your trunk that you don't need for your actual trip. The department estimates that every 100 pounds of extra stuff in your car lowers your gas mileage by up to 2 percent.

Replace Wiper Blades

Poorly functioning wiper blades make it hard to see when you run into inclement weather. Check wiper blades before your trip. Obtain new wipers if it takes more than one swipe of the blade to clear the windshield adequately. If your blade efficiency starts to deteriorate during the actual road trip, find new all-purpose wiper blades at many gas stations.

References

• CBS Moneywatch; Road Trip! Best Cars and a Maintenance Checklist; Jerry Edgerton; June 2010
• AAA TravelViews; Road Trip Preparation Tips; Laurie Peterson; June 2011
• CNNMoney; Summer Road Trip Maintenance Check-List; Jerry Edgerton; April 2002
• U.S. Department of Energy: Driving and Car Maintenance
• California Bureau of Automotive Repair: Simple Maintenance Can Keep You and Your Vacation on the Road
• "Popular Mechanics"; 13 Must-Know Tricks to Max Out Your Road-Trip MPGs; Mike Allen; December 2009