Whether you’re looking for a way to save on the cost of airfare, have a fear of being miles above the ground, or are just hoping to take in the views around you, more and more families have chosen to use their cars to take them to their vacation destinations. While this does limit your options as to where you can go (no trip to the islands this year), driving does allow you to explore things you have never seen through the windows of your car.
Before you embark on your adventure, however, you need to make sure your car is up for the challenge. After all, you don’t want to be a few hours from paradise, stuck on the side of the road because your vehicle overheated. Depending on how far you are driving and the weather conditions, explains Jeremy Wolfson who owns Benchmark Auto Services in Minnesota, you can do a number of things to ensure that your vehicle is prepared to take you where you need to go. Here, he shares some of his advice:
Visual Check: If you’re only driving for a few hours, then you won’t need to do too much to prepare, says Wolfson. But, you should always do a visual check, paying particular attention to how your tires look. If they appear to be low and you haven’t filled them in awhile, then take a few minutes to check the pressure and have them filled. Additionally, you should also check your blinkers, headlights and brake lights to make sure that they are all functioning properly. Besides being important safety measures, nothing can ruin the start of a vacation like being pulled over by the police.
Tire Pressure: If you are going on a long drive, say across the country, then not only will you need to check your tire pressure before you leave, but you should also check it midway through your trip, when you arrive at your destination, and on the way back. Underinflated tires can impair your ability to stop and use extra fuel, resulting in more frequent trips to the gas station and a bigger hit to your wallet.
Fluid Levels: Since your car will be your main source of transportation, it’s important to make sure that you are fully stocked with all the necessary fluids that help your car function properly. Mainly these fluids include engine oil to help ease the stress on your engine during the drive, antifreeze to help keep your car from overheating, and washer fluid to clean your windshield in case you run into heavy rains or dusty conditions.
Maintenance: Address all your maintenance issues before you leave, suggests Wolfson. For instance, if your car is due for an oil change, then make sure you get it done. Similarly, if you have over 50,000 miles, your trip is the perfect opportunity to get the tune-up taken care of before you leave. Your mechanic will be able to address any possible problems so that you can resolve them before you start loading up your suitcases, skis or beach toys.
Fuel: During road trips, Wolfson advises that you never let your gas tank get below a quarter of a tank. Not only will this keep dirt and debris that sit on the bottom of the tank from cycling through your car, but in cold weather in particular, he says, condensation can get into your fuel system and cause your car to stall if fuel levels are low.
By adding car maintenance to your list of things to do prior to leaving for your vacation, somewhere between packing a bathing suit and scheduling a pedicure appointment, you’ll guarantee that at least your car will do its part to make sure your vacation goes smoothly.
