Family Road Trip
Few things are improve than a road trip, but a lack of planning and car maintenance could end the fun prematurely. Getty

Planning a road trip should be an enjoyable process, however, choosing destinations, booking hotels, planning activities can easily overwhelm even the most organized traveler. But with a little forethought, the results can exist ballsy. That'south especially true during a global pandemic when America's roadways are the almost pop means of travel.

According to a survey conducted past Chevrolet and research house Harris Poll, 80% of those polled said that going on a route trip has been i of their happiest moments since March. Twoscore-one percent said they road-tripped to a place they've never been before, which underlines an important element that oft is left out of the planning procedure: preparing the family vehicle.

Even the well-nigh detailed travel itinerary won't save a vehicle from a lack of routine maintenance, and then it's crucial to ensure that routine and other preparatory maintenance procedures are performed before setting out for an adventure.

Ideally, vehicle maintenance is a 24/7 proposition, only it is especially important before a long route trip, especially in the estrus of summer and to unfamiliar destinations off the beaten path. Though visiting family unit and friends has been the number one destination for coronavirus-motivated road trips, equally reported by Harris Poll, beach, hiking fishing and national Park exploration rounded out the top 5.

No matter the destination, take care in readying the vehicle that volition get you there—and back. Hither are some of the best means to prepare a vehicle for a summer road trip.

tire care
Tires are a primary wear and tear item of any automobile. Make sure to check inflation and for abnormal article of clothing frequently. Getty

Maintain Tires

Tires are the just part of a vehicle that are in direct contact with the road, and so extra care is needed to ensure they are correctly inflated, display even treadwear, are costless from any obvious defects and are of the size and type specified by the manufacturer.

Key considerations for tire maintenance include:

  • Air pressure: The specific air pressure required by a vehicle's tires is found on a modest label fastened to the inside of the driver's door jamb. The temperatures listed are usually stated as beingness "common cold temperatures," which means that tire pressure should be checked earlier the vehicle has been driven for whatever length of time. Tire pressures should be checked at least every 1000 miles. If the vehicle is heavily loaded, towing a trailer, or kept on the route for extended periods of travel, the tires should, at a minimum, be checked visually at every finish. It's a good idea to proceed an air pressure level gauge in the glove box of your vehicle.
  • Rotation: Vehicles come up in a diverseness of drive-wheel configurations, including forepart-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and 4-wheel bulldoze. The wheels that receive power wear tires more quickly than non-bulldoze-bike tires. This is especially true for performance vehicles, where wheel spin and difficult cornering are part of the norm. Additionally, worn or loose steering components can promote the uneven wearable of the front tires. Rotating tires moves them front-to-back or side-to-side, promoting even habiliment. (The proper rotation pattern for your car is located in the owners transmission.) This service should be performed every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if uneven wear is observed. Many shops include tire rotation in the toll of their oil alter specials.
  • Condition: Bulges, gouges, and other visually observable damage should be inspected by a professional to ensure that the tire'south structural integrity isn't compromised. Fifty-fifty a modest bear upon from a pothole or curb tin can impairment a tire. Visual cues, such as uneven tread wear and odd habiliment patterns on other parts of the tire are an indication that a checkup is overdue.
How to check oil
Checking your engine oil is a great start, simply don't neglect the other vital fluids that proceed your vehicle safe and reliable. Getty

Check Fluids

Maintaining a vehicle'southward fluids is an essential stride toward ensuring that a summer road trip goes off without a hitch. While motor oil is sometimes referred to as the lifeblood of an engine, modernistic vehicles use a variety of specialized fluids vital to your vehicle's operation and longevity.

  • Transmission fluid: Many new vehicles come with sealed transmissions that don't allow for like shooting fish in a barrel checking or topping off of the fluid, but it's still important to understand the role transmission fluid, or oil, plays in its operation. Depending on the vehicle, the transmission may have a service interval of up to 100,000 miles and require special equipment to replace it. A good rule of pollex for vehicles equipped with a traditional dipstick should be to cheque the fluid regularly and replace information technology according to the specifications outlined in your owners transmission. Old fluid can accumulate clay and droppings and dramatically reduce your transmission's performance and lifespan and burnt fluid tin can indicate severe wear of the internal components. Automated transmissions can be finicky, so if y'all have whatever doubts, run into your dealer or a qualified contained mechanic.
  • Ability steering fluid: While electric and electrically-assisted power steering systems become more common every day, plenty of vehicles all the same utilize hydraulic power steering systems. These ability steering systems employ a fluid that tin become contaminated over fourth dimension, hampering performance and possibly causing leaks or harm to the organization components. The fluid reservoir is generally located in an easily accessible location under the hood, making information technology piece of cake to bank check each time vehicle's engine oil is changed.
  • Brake fluid: Braking systems apply fluid to build hydraulic pressure to force the calipers to clench the brake pads down onto the rotors. If the brake pedal starts to feel spongy or soft, air may have accumulated in the restriction lines, which can require a service to drain the lines. Brake fluid besides gets contaminated and tin can absorb moisture, both of which tin can reduce performance. Service should be performed according to the service intervals outlined in your owner'south transmission or approximately every 24,000 miles in everyday employ. Your dealer or local shop can suggest you on the best program of activity if y'all observe reduced braking performance.
tony stewart oil change
Make certain to bank check your owner's transmission for the proper specifications before changing any of your car's vital fluids. Getty
  • Engine oil: Checking a vehicle's engine oil is one of the most disquisitional and easy to bank check maintenance items for an owner to perform. Some new vehicles come with a factory oil-modify interval of up to ten,000 miles, but the oil should nevertheless be checked at least every ane,000 to iii,000 miles. Modernistic engine oil contains a number of additives that enhance lubrication properties and help to keep the oiling organisation clean, and over fourth dimension they can become depleted. An unprecedented loss or consumption of oil could indicate more pregnant bug. The owner's transmission will define the type of oil to exist used and how ofttimes it should be changed. And if you're doing it yourself, don't forget to pick upwardly a new filter likewise.
  • Coolant: Oftentimes referred to as anti-freeze, engine coolant is nearly every bit vital as motor oil. Coolant not only keeps engine temps down in the summertime but helps the engine maintain the optimum operating temperature in cold climates equally well as providing heat for the passengers. Low coolant tin can cause overheating, especially in hot weather condition with a fully-loaded vehicle. Like motor oil, coolant is fortified with additives that enhance performance and inhibit corrosion. Most vehicles have a transparent "overflow" tank under the hood that allows for visual inspection of the coolant level. CAUTION: Never attempt to check engine coolant on a hot or warm vehicle. If you suspect the coolant is low or compromised, see a qualified service professional.
  • Windshield wiper fluid: Summer route trips offer several opportunities for bugs to smash into the windshield, and while it isn't perfect, the vehicle's windshield washer provides the just manner to clean them off without making a fourth dimension-consuming pit finish. Most vehicles have a alert light that indicates the windshield washer fluid level is low, simply the fluid reservoir should be located in an easily visible place under the hood to permit for easy checks.
Windshield washer fluid resevoir
The windshield washer reservoir can easily be dislocated with the coolant tank or brake fluid reservoir; make sure information technology has a bluish chapeau with the wiper/washer graphic as illustrated hither. Getty

Go along Up With Routine Maintenance

Fluids are essential, just they are far from the only vehicle maintenance consideration. The following should be performed regularly, but are specially of import before a long road trip:

  • Air filters: Virtually vehicles take two types of air filters. The engine air filter provides debris-complimentary air to the engine, and the cabin air filter filters the incoming air to the rider compartment. For the vehicle to perform equally intended and for the people inside it to breathe freely, the vehicle'south air filters need to be replaced regularly. The engine air filter and motel filters should be replaced according to the manufacturer'south specifications. Barring that, every x,000 to xv,000 miles is a good rule of thumb.
  • Belts and Hoses: Gone are the days when an boilerplate vehicle relied on 3, 4, or more individual belts to ability all the accessories. Although at that place are exceptions, manufacturers now use a single ribbed serpentine belt to drive the alternator, air-conditioning compressor, water pump and other accessories whenever possible. Nonetheless, the belts wear and a quick visual inspection will reveal any cracks or fraying. While you lot're at it, requite the hoses a quick view noting any dandy sings of leakage at junction points.
  • Lighting: A vehicle'southward headlights are an obvious source of calorie-free, simply there are multiple bulbs inside the cabin that may occasionally demand checking and replacement. At that place is nothing more irritating than trying to use an interior low-cal later on dark, but to notice out that it has burned out. These are generally like shooting fish in a barrel to supplant, and near auto parts stores carry a broad diverseness of replacements saving you trip to the dealer.
Clean Your Car
A make clean auto is a happy motorcar. Getty

Clean the Vehicle

Driving a clean vehicle doesn't just make for a more pleasant feel behind the bicycle; it tin add up to a fuel economy penalty if there is plenty added weight. In addition to a full vacuum and outside wash, make sure to remove all the excess luggage—athletic equipment, laundry and the residue of the daily detritus—to remove whatsoever extra weight. As a side bonus, it will articulate room for baggage and other items required for the route trip. Plus, the psychological benefits of hitting the road in a make clean, well-organized machine will make the trip even better.