4 Essential Car Maintenance Tasks Before a Road Trip

1. Battery

Make sure to check your battery before you head out. Too many people forget to check on their battery unless they know it’s dying or it’s the middle of a cold winter. Even if the weather is nice, it’s important to test your battery to ensure it’s working properly. Clean up any buildup around the terminals. Ensure that your car will run well throughout your trip by having a battery that works. If you have a battery tester, you can use it yourself or have a dealership take care of this.

2. Tires

Don’t leave home before you make sure your tires are going to make it through the trip. No one wants to end up on the side of the road with a flat. Check the tread and look for any obvious puncture marks or issues with the tire. Take a few minutes and check the tire pressure. At least a week before you leave, fill the tires to full, then a few days later check the pressure again. This helps you see if there’s a slow leak. Head to the dealership if you’re concerned about the quality of your tires.

3. Oil Change

Before you leave, make sure to get an oil change. If you’re practiced in oil changes, you can do this yourself. If you’ve never done it before or aren’t confident in your abilities, take it in. This is not the time to test your skills. Without a proper oil change, your car could break down. There are many issues that bad oil or no oil can cause, and you certainly don’t want to deal with these while hundreds of miles from home. When you get an oil change, ask for the other fluids to be topped off.

4. Road Trip Inspection

One of the best things you can do to ensure your car is in great condition before you head on the road is to go to your dealership and get a road trip inspection. They will check the belts, brakes, and a variety of other components to make sure your car is up to par. Let your technician know how far you plan to go, so they’ll be able to properly advise you about what may need fixing or changing out before you leave. It’s a good idea to get a road trip inspection a few weeks before you leave so that if you need repairs, you can take care of them.

Road trips are fun, but the experience can easily be tainted if your car isn’t properly taken care of. Take the time to make sure your car is in great working order before you head out to help prevent problems on the road.

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