It is so easy to forget about how important car maintenance is. If we take our vehicle for granted and we just leave, there is always the possibility that something will go wrong. You surely do not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere because of something that you could have avoided. This is why you have to know how to get the car ready for the trip. Here are the most important things you have to take into account.
Car Fluids
Without fluids, the car cannot run or cannot run properly. Before you go for a trip, always check the following fluids:
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Oil
You do not have to be an expert to understand how important oil is for a car. It is responsible for lubrication and has to be changed every 4,000 miles or so. However, before you go for a trip, it is better to simply change the oil to be sure nothing bad will happen, unless you just changed it, of course.
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Radiator Fluid
Car engines produce much heat. It is the job of the radiator to maintain the engine cool but this is only possible if radiator fluid is present. If levels are low, the engine overheats. A quality radiator stop leak will seal the source of the leak from within the radiator. It will help you save money in the long run by fixing minor leaks. There’s quite a list of radiator stop leak products in the market today, but GrandPrixTimes has narrowed down the top most effective radiator stop leak products for you.
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Brake Fluid
You surely do not want to end up pushing your brake pedal and it not working. This is why you need to make sure brake fluid levels are appropriate. Whenever you feel that the pedals are spongy or you feel extra travel, the fluid is most likely contaminated.
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Power Steering Fluid
A modern car utilizes power steering to make it easy to turn the wheel. Without power steering fluid, steering becomes less responsive.
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Transmission Fluid
Jerky transmissions simply destroy the entire driving experience. You need transmission fluid to make gear changing smooth. The great news is that this fluid will last a very long time. Some even last for tens of years.
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Windshield Fluid
As you drive for a long time, the windshield becomes dirty. You need windshield fluid to make sure that you can easily clean your windshield whenever you need to.
Tires
Tires keep you connected to the ground. It is quite obvious that they are important so you need to take care of them in a proper way. Before you leave on your trip, here are some things to remember:
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Air Pressure
Underinflated tires always waste gas. Overinflated tires make riding quality very bad and solid. You need to make sure that air pressure is proper so that wear is even and the tire lasts as long as possible.
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Rotation
Tires need to be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It does not matter that tire pressure is perfect since variations in weight balance, road conditions, driving habits, and suspension calibration lead to different wear and tear. Always swap tires from left to right and rear to front to make car tires last longer.
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Tire Replacement
From time to time, you have to replace your tires. If the penny test fails, it is a certainty. Most car tires can safely last for up to 50,000 miles but damage happening on the road can lead to a need to change tires faster.
Get The Right Warranty
The fact that you have a car warranty does not mean you will be automatically protected when you travel. This is especially the case in the event that you will drive the car in another country.
Fortunately for us, there are many different car warranties that are available and that are very useful. Just take a look at what is present at Chaiz marketplace and gogetolive.com. Compare different insurance policies in order to find the one that perfectly protects you and covers you when you are on the trip.
General Maintenance Tasks
An automobile is built out of countless components. They all need to be maintained in order to stay in proper working condition. Due to this, you have to be sure that you check the following before you start travelling.
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Brake Pads
You need friction in order to slow down the automobile and stop it. This is offered by brake pads. As you drive your vehicle, brake pads wear away. Thankfully, this tends to be obvious because there are squealing or screeching noises that are heard as you press the brake pedal.
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Air Filters
When you drive, air filters prevent bugs, debris, and dust from entering the interior of the vehicle and the engine. Eventually, air filters reach full capacity and have to be changed because they are clogged.
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Light Bulbs
You will eventually be pulled over when you have a burned-out taillight, headlight, or even blinker. All the car lights have to work and you need to make sure of that before you leave on the trip. Make sure that you also check brake lights.
Other Things To Consider
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Belts And Hoses
For this, it is better to have a car mechanic take a close look. All the hoses and belts used in your engine will help you to move forward but only in the event that they are in a proper working condition. A mechanic can check for cracks and other problems that could become serious when you are on the road.
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Clean The Car
This should go without saying but it has to be highlighted because of the fact that few people actually clean their cars properly anyway. To put it as simple as possible, you need to clean both the outside and the inside of the vehicle before you leave. Be extra attentive with what you would come into direct contact with, like dashboard controls, storage areas, and seats. Then, make sure your trunk is clean and that the exterior of the vehicle was cleaned by a professional.
Last but not least, be sure that you organize everything that you take with you on the trip. It might not be related to the actual vehicle but it is still something that is very important since you want to be sure that everything you take with you is organized so you have a great time on the road.
