There are few things so uniquely American as going on a road trip. You pack up your car with everything you need and hit the road. As you travel from coast to coast, you’ll experience everything the country has to offer; from the dusty Mojave Desert in the west to muggy Florida swamps in the east. Before you set off, you need to prepare your car for the long road trip.
There are three key factors in preparing your car for a long road trip. All three can be done in a single trip to any auto mechanic. You just need to know what to ask for and tell them that you’re taking a long trip.
Safety Inspection
Start by asking your mechanic to perform a safety inspection. This process is like a check-up for your car. Most safety inspections will look at your brakes, tires, headlights, windshield, engine, belts, and battery.
If anything doesn’t look right, the mechanic will let you know. If you’re not convinced of their findings, you may ask to see for yourself. Even someone with no auto repair knowledge can tell the difference between a new fan belt and one that’s worn out.
Fluids
While you’re at the mechanic, you might also inquire about an oil change. You should replace your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you’re going on a road trip, especially a cross country expedition, you’ll want an oil check before you go. If you’re going coast-to-coast and back, you’ll almost certainly want an oil change before you start home.
Similarly, you should make sure your windshield wiper fluid is filled. The roads are often dusty, and you’re bound to see dozens, if not hundreds of bugs on your windshield. When that happens, a squirt of wiper fluid work wonders for your visibility.
Tires
Fresh tires provide traction to help you turn and navigate slippery conditions. There are few things more terrifying than your car sliding across snow because you don’t have enough traction. To avoid this, you should have your tires inspected for pressure and normal wear. If you’re heading somewhere with a lot of snow, you might want to get snow tires before you leave.
If you were involved in a car accident while on a road trip, you may be entitled to rightful compensation. If you’d like an experienced Southern California auto injury attorney from McGee, Lerer & Associates to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call(310) 231-9717