Getting your vehicle ready for a holiday trip

As a traveler, you wouldn’t want to have your holiday travel spoiled because of your car being broke on the road. Thus be sure to assess your vehicle and make the necessary preparations in advance. A comprehensive check up should be done before a road trip. Ensure that all vehicle fluid levels (transmission, windshield wiper and brake fluids) are well maintained, and the oil should be changed.

When you will be traveling on the road for the holidays, don’t delay and wait until some parts in your vehicle would break down. Inspect carefully all of the hoses, check for indications of deterioration. Test your wind shield wipers if they are functioning well. You never know little things such as these would cause some problems later during your trip if they are already worn out and faulty.

The road to Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center

Test your turn signals and your break lights that they are working well by having someone behind your car to check them while you turn them on. Dim bulbs especially those that are burned out should be replaced. Your headlights for low and high beams should also be checked and replaced if necessary. It’s important that other motorists should be able to see your incoming vehicle, as well as see your stop or turn signals. Keep some spare fuses in your glove compartment or box in case some of your vehicle lights may burn out.

Further important things to consider are your tires. Make sure that they are in great condition by checking the wear patterns on their treads. Have your vehicle aligned if you observe that your front tires are worn out unevenly. You can also do a tire rotation and move the front tires to the back and the back tires to front.

You can’t be sure of weather conditions during your scheduled trip but it’s best to have an idea by getting online weather updates beforehand on your route and destination. To be safe, just be prepared for bad weather though and have a survival kit on hand including spare tire. Road trip essentials such as a flashlight, water, first aid kit, flares, car jack and other necessary automotive tools should be included in your survival kit. Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged or better yet bring a car charger so you won’t run low on your batteries during your trip.

Be safe and don’t ignore the importance of seat belts and children’s car seats. They minimize the possibilities of serious injuries in case of road accidents.

A lot of travelers prefer to use their own vehicles for their holiday trips. Preparing your vehicle and making sure it is in tip top shape and condition will guarantee that you arrive safe and sound at your destination.