Road trips are a classic American adventure. They make for great family vacations as well as solo adventures of self-discovery. And for those lucky enough to live in the centrally-located Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, there’s no better place to begin your trip.
However, there’s one thing that can bring the fun of a good road trip to a screeching halt, and that’s car trouble. No one wants to spend valuable vacation time at the repair shop. To make sure your car is road trip ready for this summer and the seasons beyond, you can check out these tips for getting your car in tip-top shape before hitting the road.
Get an Oil Change
Oil changes are an essential part of regular vehicle maintenance. But no matter how far you are in your current maintenance schedule, getting an oil change before a major road trip is always a good idea. Regular driving puts intense demand on the engine. When you’re driving for several hours at a time over several days, the need for a well-lubricated engine becomes even more essential.
Getting an oil change before starting your road trip ensures that the engine oil is free of contaminants and can efficiently lubricate the engine components. Oil changes often include filter changes, which provide added protection to keep your engine oil clean. Changing the oil in your car is especially important during the summer months because it helps protect your engine from overheating. Also, since fresh, clean oil allows your engine to run more efficiently, getting an oil change can improve your gas mileage — something you’ll be thankful for during those hours on the road.
Inspect Tires
Your tires are another critical part of your vehicle that you should have inspected before a long drive. At best, a flat tire is an annoying problem, and at worst, an excessively worn tire can be a safety issue. If your tire tread is in poor condition, replacing your tires before you set out is a smart idea. Doing so will ensure sufficient traction in rainy, dusty, and snowy conditions, and your tires will maintain their grip on the road.
Though it’s always best to bring your vehicle into the dealership for a complete tire inspection that includes a tread depth check, pressure check, and visual inspection, you can also quickly check your tread at home. Just grab a quarter and insert it into one of your tire’s grooves with the top of George Washington’s head pointing toward the center of the tire. If Washington’s entire head is showing, your tire has about one-eighth of an inch of tread left, and you should consider replacing the tire before your road trip.
Check Battery
Your car’s battery is what starts your engine. If your battery dies on a back road, you won’t be going anywhere until you can replace it. No one wants to wait for roadside assistance while in the middle of nowhere, and dealing with a dead battery can significantly cut into your vacation time.
Fortunately, it’s easy to have peace of mind about the quality of your battery; simply have a technician at your local Toyota dealership run a battery scan. They’ll examine your battery for signs of corrosion or damage and perform a battery test to know precisely how much charge your battery can hold. If they notice that your battery seems to be draining quickly, it’s best to replace it before you begin your road trip.
Examine Brakes
Your car’s braking system is one of the most critical components of your vehicle. You never know what conditions you’ll encounter during your trip, whether it’s stop-and-go city traffic or animals crossing the road. Getting your brakes checked to ensure they can perform their function efficiently and safely is a necessary step before you hit the road. Besides being a safety risk, the squeaking and grinding noises and vehicle vibrations caused by excessively worn brakes can be a headache-inducing nuisance over long hours in the car.
Taking your car into the dealership to have your brakes checked can give you peace of mind and ensure your vehicle will drive safely despite the demands of long hours of driving. When the technician does a brake inspection on your car, they will thoroughly examine the braking system, including brake pads, lines, and fluid. If they discover a problem, the worn or damaged components can be repaired or replaced before departing on your road trip.
Prepare a Road Trip Toolkit
While completing the above maintenance items is a great way to prepare your car to hit the open road, you should also be ready for the unexpected. Of course, no one wants to think about the possibility of an emergency or accident, but stocking the necessary gear can make a challenging situation more manageable. Simply gather essential tools and items in an easy-to-access location in your vehicle so they’re there for you when needed. Here are just a few items we recommend everyone keep in their car for emergency situations:
- First-aid kit.
- Spare tire.
- Reflective emergency triangles.
- Jumper cables.
- Flashlight.
- Duct tape.
- Non-perishable food, drinking water, and medicines.
- Paper map of your travel route.
- Multitool.
- Small fire extinguisher.
Is Your Car Road Trip Ready?
The easiest way to ensure your car is prepared for a long road trip is by taking it to your local dealership for a multipoint inspection. During these inspections, your vehicle is thoroughly examined so you can be fully aware of your car’s current condition before hitting the road. In addition, at that time, our professionally trained technicians can repair or replace any faulty parts if necessary.
If you live in or around Prosper, Texas, feel free to bring your car into Longo Toyota of Prosper before setting out on your road trip. We have a first-class Toyota Service Center, and we frequently offer service coupons and specials to our customers. Stop in today for service, or easily book your next appointment online.
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