How to Prepare My Car For a Road Trip

No matter the season, it’s always a good time to spin the wheels and enjoy a road trip. However, having a car break down miles from home could damper your travel plans. The difference between a successful and failed road trip depends on whether you took the necessary steps to get your car ready.

Preparing for a long car trip is easy when you have a comprehensive checklist and carry out pre-road maintenance checks to prepare your car for the adventure. Here are a few important steps to protect your car before going on a long road trip.

Check the car battery

The first thing to do before going on a road trip is to check your car battery. This is a subtle step on your checklist that could have pretty significant consequences if neglected. If you're having difficulties starting the car, you must replace the battery before the trip. It's easier and cheaper to check and replace the battery to avoid being stuck on the roadside because of a dead battery.

Ensure the lights are working

While the headlight is a prominent light source for your car, other bulbs need maintenance. All the light bulbs on the car should work perfectly to avoid the attention of local authorities. Check and test the lights before you go on a road trip, since defective lights can affect road safety and make you less visible to other road users.

Before you set out for the road trip, make sure the lights are in total working order. Test the headlights, blinkers, brake, hazard, number plate light, and reverse lights to see if they work. Preferably, get someone else to confirm that the bulbs are working. If any of the bulbs are not working, replace them before you leave.

Inspect the tyres, including the spare tyre

An important part of the inspection is to check the tyre pressure, tread, and spare tyre. The car tyres should have required pressure levels to make for smooth driving. Check the sticker on the tyre indicating minimum tyre pressure. You can use a pressure gauge to check tyre pressure.

It's unsafe to drive on tyres with too much tread wear. Hence, check your tyres to ensure they have more than the minimum legal tread before setting off. Also, see if you have spare tyres with enough pressure at the start of your journey - the last thing you want is a flat and unusable spare tyre.

Top up all fluids

Check the engine coolant, brake fluid, windshield fluid, power steering fluid, and radiator coolant. These are essential fluids needed for the car to run correctly. Your entire road trip will be in danger if fluid levels are low or empty. When checking the fluid levels, ensure you pack the car on level ground for accurate readings.

The window cleaner is essential when driving through rural areas of New Zealand. Keeping your window clean allows better visibility of any hazards during the trip. You also need an engine coolant to remove excess heat from the engine. It makes sure the engine is running at the right temperature without overheating.

Change the oil

The next step is to check the engine oil for quality and quantity. It is an integral ingredient in ensuring the engine runs smoothly. Any old or dirty oil affects proper engine functioning and can derail your journey. The oil levels should be accurate based on markings on the end of the dipstick. Experts recommend changing your engine oil after every 8000 kms. You should change the oil entirely instead of adding oil to your car before your road trip.

Check the car brakes

An essential part of preparing for a road trip is ensuring the car brakes are working correctly. You don't want your brakes to fail when you need them most. Before getting on that road trip, ensure the brakes are in the best shape.

Take the car for a drive and listen to the brakes for squeaking or creaking sounds. The sounds mean it might be time to replace the brake pads before the journey. You might also consider replacing the brake fluid. If you have a mechanic or brake specialist, visit them to confirm that you’re good to go. They will make necessary placements that could save your life.

Keep the gas tank full

One last important thing to do just before a road trip is to fill your tank with gas. While this should be obvious, you'll be surprised how often people forget before a road trip. Do this in the evening before your trip to save time during the day. Even when the tank is half-full, it's always essential to top up before you leave the house.

Carry out pre-road car maintenance checks

If there are any issues with your car, take it to a qualified mechanic for general maintenance. This is ideal when you’re short on time or have little experience in power steering and transmission fluid. Professional mechanics will perform a pre-trip inspection of your car, checking the AC, tyre's PSI levels, and suspension checks. The maintenance checks will prevent car breakdown when you are far from home.

Maybe it's time for an upgrade!

Alternatively, maybe it’s time to upgrade your car for your next road trip to avoid the issues that come with an older vehicle. Apply for a car loan today and get your perfect car financing package. At Better, we take your financial future seriously.

Contact us for more information if you need a car loan to buy your next road trip ride. We will help you throughout the entire financing process to provide a streamlined and straightforward application.

Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.