As summer rolls on, many people are planning for vacations, often involving a lengthy road trip. A road trip can be almost as much fun as the vacation destination itself, as long as you don’t run into any problems along the way.
While a problem-free road trip can make happy memories that last for decades, a bad road trip can create unpleasant memories just as long-lasting. Few things can ruin a road trip like car trouble.
There’s no way to totally ensure that you won’t run into car troubles on the road – After all, random issues can crop up even for a well-maintained vehicle. But you can significantly lower the odds of experiencing car problems by taking a series of checks and maintenance steps before any lengthy road trip. The question now is how do you get your car ready for a road trip?
It’s especially critical to prepare your car for a road trip for two reasons:
Number one, driving for multiple hours on end puts stress on your vehicle that it doesn’t normally experience during a daily commute. If there are any lurking issues, they may not be exposed in the course of your routine driving. But they might very well hit a breaking point during, say, hour five of your road trip.
The second reason it’s so important to prepare for road trips is that if you run into car troubles, you’re likely to be in unfamiliar surroundings. You might be broken down on the side of a highway miles from a town or even gas station. You’ll be dependent on the services of mechanics you have no relationship with or way to verify. And on top of that, any car trouble you run into is cutting into your precious vacation time, or else delaying your return home when you’re looking to sink peacefully back into your day-to-day routine.
The bottom line is that, if you want to avoid that nightmare scenario of car problems during a road trip, you will want to have your car inspected and prepared in a handful of ways.
Tires
Your tires are responsible for gripping the road, providing traction as you steer and brake your vehicle. In everyday life, your car’s tires are important. And that goes doubly so when taking an extended road trip.
The obvious worst-case scenario is for your tire to blow out or go flat as you drive. But even if you don’t end up with a flat tire, worn out or damaged tires can negatively impact your safety and driving experience.
Often times, a road trip will take you through mountainous or hilly terrain, and you’ll frequently end up driving through rain and wet roads, even in summer. The condition of your tires when driving through elevation, especially at high speeds on the highway, can be the difference between maneuvering safely and losing control of your vehicle.
Before taking a road trip, make sure to visually inspect your tires. If you can observe any uneven wear patterns, or if your tires appear to be significantly worn, it might be time to replace them. Worn tires are more vulnerable to punctures or going flat, and don’t grip the road as well, resulting in poor handling. If you’re unsure as to your tires’ condition, you can always bring the vehicle in to our professionals for an evaluation.
You will also want to make sure that the air pressure in your tires is at optimal levels. Underinflated tires will cause uneven wear over time, and also decrease your vehicle’s responsiveness on the road. And overinflated tires also cause unusual wear, may result in vehicle handling problems, and are at greater risk of blowing out. Making sure that the air pressures are at specifications before taking a road trip is a small step that can save you a big headache.
Finally, many people will check the four tires on their car but neglect the spare tire. If you do end up needing to replace a tire, the worst feeling possible is realizing that your spare is missing, damaged, or in some way not up to snuff.
And don’t forget all the equipment necessary to change the tire. Make sure you have a jack and a lug wrench along with your spare tire. It might even be a good idea to practice using the jack to raise your car and loosen the lug nuts with the wrench if you haven’t changed tires before. A little practice at home can make a big difference in the future if you’re on the side of the road with a flat tire.
Brakes
Your braking system is one of the most critical and hardest working set of components in your vehicle, responsible for bringing a car weighing thousands of pounds to a stop from high speeds. All that friction and stress will eventually wear your brakes, decreasing performance and putting the system at risk of malfunction or failure.
It should go without saying that you’re going to be relying on those brakes heavily on a long road trip. Over hundreds of miles, you’ll be counting on your brakes to perform reliably. It’s important to make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape before going on a lengthy road trip.
There are several points at which brakes can fail, with one of the most common being the brake pads. Brake pads grip onto the brake rotors within the wheels of your vehicle, applying the friction to bring the car to a halt. Tremendous heat and strain results from the repetitive use of the brakes, and much of that stress goes to the brake pads.
Over time, brake pads wear out and need to be replaced. It’s possible to check the condition of your brake pads yourself, and this can be easier or harder to do depending on how your car is set up. Assuming you know what to look for, make sure to access your brake pads and confirm that they have plenty of life remaining in them before going on a road trip. Alternatively, you can bring your car in for service, where our team of experts will inspect your brake pads’ condition.
While brake pads are one of the most likely culprits for brake-related maintenance, that’s not the only part of the brakes which can have problems. Components ranging from the discs to the calipers to issues with the hydraulic system can become damaged or worn out. Be on the lookout for signs that your brakes need attention – Noises, vibrations, or grinding when braking can be clear signs of a problem. A feeling of ‘softness’ when depressing the brake pedal can also point to issues. If you observe anything along those lines, make sure to get it resolved before hitting the road.
Filters, Belts and Hoses
Many people overlook their car’s belts and hoses when considering parts and systems requiring maintenance, and maybe forget to change the air filter every now and again. However, the condition of the various filters, hoses and belts within an automobile suffer wear and tear over time, and can eventually begin to fail. The effects of a leaking hose or a clogged filter may be subtle at first, but can cause real problems over time. And a frayed and worn belt eventually breaking can very dramatically cause you a problem, especially when far from home on a road trip.
The hoses within your car carry a variety of fluids to your engine and other critical systems in your vehicle. In a lot of ways, they’re like the veins and arteries carrying blood throughout a body. Over time, hoses can erode and develop tiny cracks or holes, and these can widen over time. A small crack may not cause a significant loss of fluids, but even incremental fluid loss will lower fluid quantities below recommended levels over time. And a larger crack or hole can quickly deplete a system of necessary fluid.
Before taking a road trip, give your vehicle an inspection under the hood. Can you see any fluids leaking from any hoses, or fluids pooled beneath hoses? Are there any wet spots on your garage floor or driveway? Are fluid levels low? Any of this may indicate you have a worn or damaged hose in need of replacement.
It’s more difficult to evaluate the quality of the belts within your vehicle without specialized knowledge. Certain belts like a serpentine belt or a rubber timing belt tend to have service lives of around 100,000 miles. This, though, is no guarantee that you’re definitely safe inside that mileage range. Certain older models of cars have v-belts with a significantly shorter life. If you’re worried about the condition of your car’s belts – or hoses, for that matter – our Standard Vehicle Inspection will include a good look at the condition of your belts and hoses.
When it comes to filters, many people are aware of the need to periodically replace their air filters. There are several other filters that require periodic replacement too – The oil filter, the cabin filter, and the fuel filter, on some vehicles. Most filters will last at least 10,000 miles, but if it’s been a long time since replacing any, it’s worth getting them inspected and potentially replaced.
Fluids
When considering your vehicle’s fluids, you might think about motor oil, or maybe windshield wiper fluid. In truth, there are seven main fluids within any vehicle, all of which perform important roles in keeping your car running smoothly and safely. It’s a great idea to confirm your car’s fluids are in good shape and at optimal levels before embarking on a long road trip.
The seven major fluids are:
- Motor Oil – Responsible for lubricating your engine, motor oil is one of the most crucial elements of a healthy car.
- Washer Fluid – Washer fluid, sprayed onto the windshield to assist in cleaning the windshield, is a must if driving in any dirty, dusty or muddy conditions.
- Transmission Fluid – What motor oil is to the engine, transmission fluid is to the transmission, lubricating the system and preventing breakdowns.
- Radiator Fluid – This fluid prevents your engine from overheating, and low levels can lead to overheating and eventual breakdown.
- Brake Fluid – The hydraulic brake system requires brake fluid to function properly, and insufficient brake fluid will significantly decrease the effectiveness of your brakes.
- Power Steering Fluid – This fluid lubricates your power steering system, allowing you to maneuver your car with little to no strain or effort.
- Air Conditioning Refrigerant – If you’re driving anywhere hot, you’ll want to make sure your air conditioning refrigerant levels are up to standard.
All fluids will wear out or break down over time, though the service lives of each type of fluid will vary. Some, like motor oil, need to be replaced fairly frequently, while others, such as power steering fluid, last longer before needing replacement. Additionally, all fluid levels can decrease due to leaks or other inefficiencies within various hoses and components in your car.
If you’re going to hit the road for an extended trip, it’s always a wise move to make sure your fluid levels are topped off, and that all your fluids are in good shape. Some fluids are easy to check for yourself, like motor oil. Others, like air conditioning refrigerant, require specialized equipment and knowledge. Fluid levels are another part of a vehicle inspection.
Battery
This one’s simple – If your battery dies, your engine will not start, and your car isn’t going anywhere. The battery is responsible for starting your car, in addition to powering several other electronic systems.
Signs of a failing, or weak battery can include dim headlights, a clicking sound when starting the engine, a slow crank when turning the ignition key. If you observe any of these symptoms, it’s very possible that your battery is nearing the end of its life.
If you suspect your battery might be on the verge of dying, make sure to replace it with a new one before setting out on a lengthy road trip.
Lights
If your car’s lights seem dimmer than normal, the issue might be the battery, as discussed above. But another culprit might be the light bulbs themselves. Over time, your car’s lights will begin to wear out and eventually fail.
Other signs of worn-out lights can be your lights flickering periodically, or eventually the light burning out entirely and going dark. Most road trips will include driving at night or during in low-visibility conditions – including driving through rain. A set of functioning lights is especially necessary in those conditions, and it’s worth the extra few minutes to ensure your lights are in good shape before taking a road trip.
Wiper Blades
Finally, before setting out on a road trip it’s a good idea to check an often-overlooked vehicle component – your wiper blades. Especially if you live in an area without a lot of rain and snow during certain seasons, you might tend to take your wipers for granted. But going on a prolonged road trip through inclement weather is no fun at all if your wiper blades are worn out and not working properly.
Take a moment to inspect the blades to ensure that they’re not worn or cracked. You can also test them by applying water to the windshield and verifying that they smoothly and totally wipe it away. If your wiper blades are worn out, be sure to replace them before taking a long road trip. You might get lucky and encounter nothing but sunny skies. However, if it does rain, you’ll be extremely happy you were prepared.
Get Your Car Ready For a Road Trip With Temecula Auto Repair & Transmission
Ready to hit the road? Ensure your car is in top shape with a comprehensive check-up at Temecula Auto Repair & Transmission. Whether it’s an oil change, brake inspection, or transmission service, our experienced technicians have you covered. Don’t let unexpected car troubles ruin your trip. Schedule your pre-road trip inspection today and drive with confidence. Call us now or visit our shop and keep your journey smooth and worry-free!
