This is a collaborative post.
Whether you’ve been planning on getting away for a while or you prefer to be spontaneous, your next road trip should be as stress-free as possible.
Your bags are packed, you’ve booked your accommodation, and the last thing to do is to ensure that your motor is ready for your journey. There’s a lot to consider, from making sure your car is roadworthy, to packing all the essentials for your trip. However, preparing your car for a long road trip isn’t something that you should rush.
Not sure about where to get started in getting your motor road-trip ready? Here are five things to check on your vehicle, before you head anywhere, whether you’ll be driving your every day car, or perhaps even a business vehicle, like a van or taxi. Thankfully, nowadays, wherever you are in the world, you can compare van insurance online at the touch of a button – and the same goes for regular car insurance, too!
Check your car’s essential fluids
All the various different components of your car play an important role in its safe functioning, from the oil in your engine, to the antifreeze in your coolant reservoir. Think of it as your car’s essential ‘lifeblood.’ With too little, or too much, you’ll run the risk of breaking down, or damaging your engine permanently.
So, before making any long trip, always check your car’s essential fluids, including:
Oil
You don’t need to be a motor head to know oil is critical for your engine to work correctly. It keeps all of your vehicle’s moving components lubricated, including the pistons, camshaft and crankshaft, enabling them to move with minimal friction.
Usually, it’s advisable that you change your oil at least every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, as a minimum. With advances in oil and motor technology, however, many car manufacturers now recommend an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
You should regularly check your oil levels with the dipstick, to ensure you’ve got enough in your tank for each journey. If the oil appears black, gritty or falls below the minimum fill line, either top it up or speak to your local garage to check for any unseen issues underneath the hood.
Your vehicle’s manual will tell you all you need to know about its oil type, how often you should change your oil, and how to perform an oil change.
Brake fluid
Before you travel, always check your brakes. If they feel spongy or slack, or move further than expected, it’s time to to take a look at your brake fluid. It could be that air bubbles have formed inside, or that the fluid is contaminated.
It’s recommended that you flush your motor’s brake system every 24,000 miles, to ensure it stays as clean as possible.
Radiator fluid or coolant
To ensure your radiator doesn’t overheat, make sure you top up your radiator fluid to the recommended amounts. The antifreeze within the fluid will extract heat from your car’s engine, dissipating it through the radiator.
Always be aware that if your coolant levels are too low, your motor will overheat. This is particularly important when driving in hot weather conditions.
Power steering fluid and transmission fluid
Keeping both your power steering and transmission fluids topped up ahead of travel is highly recommended by manufacturers and mechanics alike. This will ensure your power steering is fully responsive, while also helping your gears to run more smoothly.
Windshield wash
Having a clear windscreen is not only essential for travel, but being able to have good visibility is a must according to the Highway Code.
So, make sure you keep your windscreen wash topped up. If you run out of washer fluid, fill the tank with water until you can stop at your nearest garage or supermarket.
Tyres
Before you set off, make sure your tyre pressure is within the manufacturer’s guidelines, and check for any tears or small holes that could cause a puncture.
Not only will good tyre pressure help to keep you safer on the roads, increase grip and give you more control behind the wheel, but it will also help to increase your fuel economy. Besides pressure, you should pay attention to several other factors when checking tyres before a road trip – check out my previous post for all you need to know.
Give your car a once over
Make sure you pay attention to all of the main components of your car before you leave. Everything from your brake pads to your air filters, your light bulbs, and your windscreen wipers will need to be in good working order.
While you’re at it, give your car a once over and tidy up the interiors to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Consider upgrading your car
If you have any doubts about your car making the journey, it might be time to consider upgrading your vehicle before you set off. Whether that’s checking out your local used car dealership or seeing what car finance deals are available, it could pay for you to take a look.
Car finance is the most obvious and affordable solution if you need a new motor fast. As long as you have a good credit score, your application could be accepted within minutes of applying. With manageable monthly payments and a reasonable deposit, you can be sat behind a new wheel in no time.
That said, if you’ve ever struggled with poor credit history, you might not feel the same way. Perhaps you’ve been rejected for credit in the past, or you’ve struggled to find a deal that works with your financial situation.
However, hope is not lost. Bad credit car finance lenders could help you to find a deal that matches your personal circumstances. Even if you have zero credit history or have a default, CCJ, or you’ve been bankrupt in the past, there are options out there that can help you to get back behind the wheel and rebuild your credit score at the same time.
The journey
Now you’ve sorted your motor, think about the journey itself. Planning enough breaks along the way to enable you to stay focused on the road ahead and stretch your legs is a must. If you can share the driving with one of your passengers, discuss this before setting off too. You may need to get them added onto your car insurance policy as a named driver, to make sure you’ll be covered in the unfortunate event of any accidents.
Don’t forget to pack all the essential road trip items that you should never leave home without! As a minimum, you should make sure you pack:
- Snacks and drinks
- Any travel and/or accommodation documents
- First Aid kit
- Torch
- Red triangle
- Warm clothes and waterproofs
- Sat Nav – or install a map navigation app on your phone before you set off
- A phone charger
It’s also helpful to make sure you have a decent roadside recovery in place before you set off, in case you need assistance.
Last but not least, don’t go anywhere until you’ve made an epic playlist to listen to and perhaps even sing along to on your way!
Wherever your next road trip takes you, make sure you prepare for the journey ahead and ensure your car is roadworthy. Share your top vehicle maintenance tips with other readers by commenting below.
This is a collaborative post.