Getting your vehicle ready for a road trip

I would say that one of our most priced blessings as a family is having the trusty van, for our own vehicle. It comes very handy when we go places, even just for leisure or traveling for some urgent need, or even just for shopping (we can dump a load with no worry as to space!). But wait, this has to be prepared especially when we go to a far-away place, like twice we already crossed two islands, Negros and Cebu, on a land-sea-land travel. The van was transported on a roll-on-roll-off (roro) barge from San Carlos City to Toledo City of Cebu.

Before departing on a long journey that involves rough roads and hilly terrains (or even on concrete-paved highways), it’s important to check your vehicle first to make sure it will survive the demands of the trip. This is what Dad (who’s a mechanical engineer and the one who drives us around) does when preparing our van for a long trip:

– check the levels of motor oil, water in the radiator tank, brake fluid
– check the condition of engine belts, brakes, lights, battery, wiper, tires
– check the vehicle’s engine by running and revving it up

The above list is just the basic vehicle check-up; Dad still recommends bringing it to a reliable auto shop for a thorough check-up by a competent mechanic. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace some parts, just like when we had to change the van’s worn out tires with brand new ones. For those who would like to hit the road in style with custom wheels and tires, there are some really good-looking packages which can browsed online at WheelFire.com where you can search by vehicle brand, tire brand, or tire size (width, profile and diameter). They have designed a fitting program that guarantees an accurate fit and clients are welcome to inquire 24/7 from their tech center. They also provide free shipping on wheel and tire packages.

Being prepared is the key to a safe and enjoyable journey, and Dad recommends bringing some road trip essentials such as flashlight, car tools, towing rope, early warning device and spare tire. When your vehicle is in good condition, you’re ready for a fun trip ahead.