Road Trip Car Maintenance Checklist

Safety List for Road Trips

Okay, you’re prepared to give your car with a fine-tooth comb, but where do you begin? Your road trip checklist should focus on 3 primary sections: Fluids, Wheels and Tires, and Maintenance. While not an exhaustive listing, if you completely inspect these areas your possibility of an uninterrupted journey get better.

Check Your Fluids

• Oil – As we discussed above, you’ll need to ensure that the oil has been changed recently.
• Transmission Fluid – Make sure to consult your owner’s manual to see how often it should be changed. If it’s overdue, you’ll want to change it.
• Radiator fluid – Make certain that your antifreeze is completely full for optimal efficiency and check your owner’s manual to see if it should be changed.
• Brake Fluid – Being able to stop effectively can be the difference between a crash or avoiding one. If you are unsure, get it checked
• Windshield Wiper Fluid – If you’re going to be putting in some seat time you’re going to hit some bugs or various other roadway debris. Make certain your windshield wiper fluid container is full to get the gunk off. Wiper fluid is ineffective without great wipers, so replace your wipers while you’re at it.

Tire Check

• Tire Tread – Ensure there are no bald spots and that you have plenty of tire tread left. Double-check for any type of cuts that need to be dealt with. If they can not be fixed, change them.
• Air Pressure – Ensure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure and that they all have equal pressure in each tire.
• Rotation – See to it that your tires don’t need to be rotated. Tires that aren’t balanced/rotated appropriately can wear unevenly and have an irritating vibration.
• Spare Tire – Whatever you check on your primary tires, do it for your spare also.

General Service Items

• Light Bulbs – Worn out headlights and taillights can be a safety threat, so ensure they work correctly. While you are at it, inspect your directional signal lights and parking lights. You can even upgrade to LED bulbs for brighter light and reduced power consumption
• Air Filter – If you resemble most of us, your air filter should’ve replaced years ago. It’s simple to do, isn’t very pricey, and can assist with better gas mileage.
• Belts and Hoses – If you aren’t a mechanic, this could be a little intimidating yet it can really be rather simple. First thing is to look for fractures in the hoses, after that press the hoses to see if they seem weak. Hoses must feel rubbery, if they feel really breakable or have splits you should change them. Search for leaks on your hoses, particularly where they link to other components. Ultimately, checks the belts to ensure they aren’t loosely affixed or have missing notches. A broken belt and/or hose can rapidly destroy your trip and your engine.
• Battery – See to it that the battery terminals are not rusted and that the +/- terminals are tightened. If your vehicle starts slowly you may require a new battery.
• Brakes – Being able to brake your car capably is key in staying clear of collisions. Changing your brake fluid, replacing the brake pads, and even getting new brake rotors could be essential to have a risk-free car for your trip.

Before the Road Trip, Test Drive Your Car

You know your car far better than anybody. Take it out for a quick drive to see if something feels off. This isn’t a pleasure cruise so turn off the radio and concentrate. Does your vehicle draw to one side when braking heavily? Does your A/C blow cold air? If something feels a little off, you should absolutely have an expert take a look at it.

Schedule Road Trip Maintenance Today

Schedule your car’s road trip maintenance service at Sterling McCall Lexus Clear Lake. We are your source for all your vehicle maintenance needs in the Houston area. Schedule an appointment by phone, online, or in-person today. Our factory-trained specialists are standing by to serve you!