How-To: Prepare Your Vehicle For a Road Trip

Spring break is right around the corner, which for many people is the time to get away and take a vacation. While driving can be cheaper than flying, you have to make sure that your vehicle is up for the stress of a road trip. Following these tips to prepare your vehicle for a road trip will help you stay safe and have a smooth ride:

Read More: How-To: Test Drive a Used Car

• Check under the hood. Examine your battery to make sure it is clean and strong. Check your fluid levels like oil and windshield washer fluid.
• Test out the brakes. Check out the brake pads on your car to make sure they aren’t worn out and in need of replacing.
• Make sure your tires are in good shape. Check the tread depth to make sure your tires are in good shape and there are no tears in the rubber. Check the tire pressure as well to make sure they are at the appropriate levels.
• Clean out the inside. Spending long stretches of time in the confined space of your car will be more enjoyable if your car is clean and tidy. Vacuum the carpets and seats, wipe down all surfaces and clean the windows so that you have the best view of the passing landscapes.
• Pack accordingly. Make sure that you are not overloading your car with luggage. Putting that extra strain on the vehicle can lower your fuel economy, forcing you to stop at the pump more often, and it makes your vehicle more difficult to handle.
• When in doubt, take it to a mechanic. If anything about your vehicle seems off before you head out on your trip and you aren’t sure what the problem is, it’s always better to be safe and take your vehicle into a mechanic to get it checked out.

We hope these tips help you prepare your vehicle for your road trip! If you have any questions about your vehicle, feel free to contact us at Hillside Auto Mall!