How to Check your Car before a Family Road Trip
Family road trips are very popular mainly because of the benefits that come with them. They are a good opportunity for families to bond and share the same spirit of fun and entertainment.
Family road trips are also an opportunity for every family member to discuss what they think thereby leading to healthier family relationships. As with any other trip, you will need a car for your road trip. To avoid inconveniences during the trip, it is important to make your car ready beforehand. Here are some tips on how to check your car before a family road trip.
1. Check the lights
Even though checking the lights of your car is very easy, many people tend to assume that they are always working. Because you are not sure what time of the day you will be traveling, always ensure that your lights are working at all times. If anything, lights are very important when giving road signals. When checking your lights, make sure that the headlights, fog lamps, park light system and stop lamps are all working.
2. Ensure the Tyres are in Good Condition
Flat tyres can be very stressful especially while on a family road trip. In that case, it is important to make sure that the tyres have the correct air pressure, free from tyre wear, have the right alignment and are within the right conditions to operate. Also, ensure that you have a spare tyre before leaving for the road trip.
3. Check Water, Oil and Other Fluids
This is where you may need a professional mechanic to check your vehicle for you if you do not have the expertise. All the car fluid must be at their required levels for your car to operate smoothly during your road trip. Some of the fluids that a mechanic can check for you include the engine oil, power steering fluid, coolant antifreeze, brake fluid, coolant antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid amongst others. The brake fluid is another important car fluid that should be in check before going on a family road trip.
5. Always Make Sure the Steering, Brakes, and Suspension are Working
A car that has a spongy brake pedal or goes to extensive limits is not good for a road trip or any trip at all. Also, if your car wanders or pulls to one side while you are driving, it is a disaster waiting to happen. Before embarking on a road trip with your family, first, make sure that a professional mechanic checks your car to make sure that the brakes and the steering are all working.
6. Make Sure your Battery is in Good Condition
Today, we cannot undermine the importance of having a quality battery in our cars. Manufacturers continue to add more components that use electricity to their cars meaning batteries continue to be extremely important. When the battery of your car is below 9.5 volts, chances are that it will run abnormally and the computer will fail. You do not want these things especially if you are on a road trip with your family.
As a let off, you do not have to hire a professional to check if your battery is in good condition. If your car is not more than 2 years old, chances are that its battery is still working correctly. However, if your car is more than 4 years old, the terminals of the battery might start to corrode. Here, you may need a professional mechanic to examine the car for you.
Visually check the condition of your battery for any cracks, damage or acid leaks. Make sure that the battery terminals are tight and have no signs or corrosions. If your battery exhibits any of the named conditions, you should replace it before going on a family road trip.
Conclusion
A family trip is an event that requires minimal interruptions. It is a moment for you and your family to bond and enjoy some time together. In that case, you need to make sure that your car is in good condition going for the trip. Some of the places to check include the lights, battery, and tyres. The brakes and the steering should also work correctly. That is how to check your car before going for a family road trip.
Author Bio
Blake Slade is the owner of Car Care Ninja and an experienced car mechanic. He always provides the latest information about car care. He likes to share his own experiences with all of us.
