Make Sure Your Car is Ready for the Trip
Your family vacation is getting close. You are excited about spending quality time with your family and getting away for a few days. However, before hitting the open road don’t forget to make sure that your car is up to the task.
This checklist provides you with peace of mind and could alert you to any trouble as you get ready to head down the highway:
- Check engine oil — level should be between the "add" and "full" marks. If it’s low, add a quart, but don’t overfill. If oil appears to be dark or opaque, it’s probably time for an oil change.
- Check coolant — coolant keeps your car from overheating. Make sure that the level is between "high" and "low." Remember that the cooling system operates best when the coolant is a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
- Check belts and hoses — look for cracks and signs of wear, especially on the fan belt. Check the coolant hoses for leakage and cracks. Replace if they appear to be worn.
- Check tires — make sure there are no cuts or bulges and that the tires still have good tread. Check the pressure with a pressure gauge and add air if needed (maximum amount of pressure is noted on the outside of the tire). Also, don’t forget to check your spare tire, just in case.
- Check lights — turn on all your lights and walk around your car to make sure that all lights are functioning properly. Also, ask someone to stand behind your car while you test your brake lights.
Just to be on the safe side, you should also include an emergency kit in your car comprising of a quart of oil, a gallon of water, some basic tools, jumper cables, gloves, a flashlight with spare batteries, duct tape, a first aid kit, flares, and the most important tool of all...your cell phone.
If you encounter any trouble while checking out your car, make sure to have a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle prior to your departure.