Road Trip! Who is excited for your next family adventure? It’s always fun to load up with the family, hit the open road, and head out for days of fun together. But before you go, you need to do a little bit of prep work to ensure a safe and smooth journey ahead. The last thing you need is to end up with car troubles along the way.
Be proactive and take precautions to monitor your vehicle’s performance, ensure it is in top shape, and avoid incidents that can happen along the way. Check out these 6 essential pre-trip vehicle checks you need to make before your next road trip!
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1. Inspect Your Tires
A lot of families neglect their tires until they are forced to change them. However, you don’t want a tire blowout to be the cause of an accident or mishap on the road. How would you handle a rear end collision driving along in Houston because the tread on your tires was long overdue?
Inspect your tires and look for signs of wear, check the tread, monitor for bugles or cuts, and take action if the tires need to be replaced before you head out.
2. Check Fluid Levels
Have you checked your engine oil lately? When was the last time you had an oil change? It might be a good idea to get an oil change if it’s been a while. Monitoring your vehicle fluids ensures your vehicle will be running at its best as you head out for your adventure.
These are the fluids to check before a road trip:
- Windshield washer fluid
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Engine oil
- Transmission fluid
If you are uncertain, take your vehicle to be looked at before you go. Be sure to top off any fluids that are low to be prepared for a wonderful trip ahead.
3. Brake Systems
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the state experiences nearly 100,000 crashes every year. The details of these accidents vary, but many of them lead to injuries. The unfortunate truth is there are some accidents that could likely be avoided by taking great care of your vehicle.
Don’t let your vehicle be part of the statistics because you neglected to check your brakes. Generally speaking, brake pads need to be replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Rotors also need to be replaced, but they can take more miles. Have your brakes inspected and have them changed as needed to keep your family safe on the road.
Related: Find deals on car washes, parking, and automotive services including oil changes, windshield replacement, and brake service in your area through Groupon. They offer discounts up to 70% off on these services and more.
Need Help Planning a Family Road Trip? Start with these family vacation planning resources:
- Travel Love Language – Help to Identify, Understand, & Plan Vacations
- How to Budget for a Cheap Road Trip in 11 Simple Steps
- 25 Healthy Road Trip Snacks to Fuel Your Next Adventure
- Essential Tips for an Enjoyable Cross-Country Road Trip with Your Family
- What You’ll Need for a Fun Family Road Trip + Weekend Packing List
- Road Trip Preparation – 12 Things To Do Before You Leave, So You Can Enjoy It
- Banish Boredom with 50 Fun Road Trip Games to Play in the Car
4. Battery Health Check
Car batteries are funny things. They are susceptible to corrosion and sometimes they die on you without notice. Your car is designed to charge up the battery to be ready to go for your next ride. That being said, as your battery ages it becomes more vulnerable to failure. If your battery is more than a year old, have a battery test done just to ensure it still has plenty of power for your travels.
5. Signals and Lights
Working technology, lights, and signals is absolutely vital for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Take the time to check your lights, turn signals, and brake lights to ensure they are all working. Replace any that are out. Don’t forget to use your lights and signals correctly.
6. Emergency Kit in Place
Finally, as you’re planning that family adventure, don’t forget to stock up your emergency kit. This kit allows you to be prepared just in case something happens on the road. Make sure your kit has these things at a minimum:
- Jumper cables
- Tire pressure gauges
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable snacks
- First aid
- Flashlight
- Blanket
- Basic tools
Conclusion
When you take the time to prepare your vehicle as part of your adventure planning, you set yourself up for success. Don’t just be reactive when an issue occurs, instead be proactive and prepared to prevent as many issues as possible. It’s the best way to have a safe and enjoyable adventure!
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These are great tips for the future! Will be saving this for sure.