Before Going on Vacation, Have a Car Checkup

Summer is right around the corner, and as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wane nationwide, it might soon be time for you and your family to take a road trip as part of your vacation.  

This trip might be the furthest you have traveled from home in a long time, and with health, safety and security being primary concerns particularly in this day and age, you want to have ease of travel throughout your journey. This means ensuring that your vehicle remains reliable throughout your journey. You can start the trip off right by simply having preventive maintenance done on your vehicle before you leave. It might help you avoid a lot of problems in the middle of the journey. 

Consider a few of the most practical maintenance steps to take before your summer road trip.  

1. Receive standard engine and battery services  

Every car requires an oil change from time to time, so if you haven’t had one in a while, it’s a good idea to have one before you start a long trip. Your local service station can change the oil, run an engine test and balance the car’s fluids. This can help ensure the vehicle runs smoothly during travel. 

Don’t forget to let your mechanic check the battery, as well. If your battery begins to malfunction, you might face issues starting the car, and no one wants to face that.  

2. Check critical accessories  

Essential parts of your car, like the headlights or windshield wipers, might wear out over time. If these items don’t work well, you might put yourself at risk of accidents or other mishaps. After all, if you have damaged headlights, then you won’t have good visibility for driving at night.  

Don’t let visibility or control become an issue. You can usually replace these items by visiting your local auto parts store.  

3. Test your tires  

Your tires are one of the car’s most critical components. If they have problems, they might fail, leading to a loss of control, accidents and costly auto insurance claims.  

Add air as needed to the tires to make sure they have appropriate pressure. Also check the tires’ treads to make sure they have not worn down. Treads help tires grip the road, providing valuable stability.  

4. Take care of clerical needs  

Every car needs more than only physical attention. You also have to make sure you drive legally.  

First, ensure that your registration and driver’s license are active, and that they won’t expire while you are on your trip. Make sure you don’t have outstanding tickets or warrants on your record, and update any of your records as needed.  

Furthermore, verify that your car insurance is active, and will remain so during travel. Not only will it protect you in case of collisions or other problems, your state also might require you to have coverage. Don’t run the risk of driving without this protection.