Road trips can be a thing of beauty. You’re on your own schedule, there’s plenty of bonding time in the car and you can make as many stops as you want! In all the excitement of planning your getaway, don’t forget to do some important vehicle pre-checks before hitting the road.   

Road Trip Pre-Checks 

Keep the fun rolling by making sure your vehicle is ready for your road trip.  

Tires, tires, tires… tires!

We can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure your tires are in good shape before heading out on the road. Do the penny test to make sure you have good tread depth. Check your tire pressure with a gauge. Complete a visual inspection to make sure there are no punctures wear spots.    

Check under the hood

Inspect your fluid levels and make sure everything else under the hood looks secure. Top off any fluids that look low and use a flashlight to check for leaks. Examine all hoses and confirm that the battery is strapped in place. Finally, check both your engine’s air filter and the cabin air filter to make sure they are clean.   

Wipers and fluid

Don’t forget to check your wiper blades and fill your wiper fluid and make sure the reservoir doesn’t have any cracks. Even if it isn’t the rainy season, make sure your wiper blades are working. You’ll want to be able to see clearly out the window on your drive, and fresh wiper blades and fluid will help you cut through road grime and bugs that will obscure your windshield. 

Take a brake

Make sure your brakes are in good shape before you go. Do a test drive and pay attention to your car’s braking performance. Do you hear any squeaks, squeals or scrapes? Do you have to push down really far or really hard before your brakes engage? Do you detect a burning smell when braking (you’ll want your windows open for this test)? If any of these occur, get your brakes checked out by a professional before hitting the road as it might be time for new brake pads.   

Get a professional opinion

No one wants to be stuck on the side of the road—especially during their vacation. If you’re able, it’s a good idea to have a professional give your car a once over before you head out. That way you’ll have peace of mind that everything on your vehicle is safe, and you can focus on the important things, like where to stop for lunch! 

Road Trip Ready

It’s time to hit the road! Taking time to do a road trip pre-check will be well worth the time and effort. This will let you know that you’re heading out in a reliable vehicle.   

Let a pro help!

Need some help with your road trip pre-check? Contact any of our dealerships to learn more about their service departments and how they can help you inspect your vehicle and get it ready for a long-distance drive.