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Eight EZ Steps To Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready for Your Next Road Trip

by Geoff McElhattan - Posted 3 years ago

Eight EZ Steps To Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready for Your Next Road Trip

I will never forget my wife and I screaming and cheering as we listened to an audiobook driving through the snow-capped mesas in northern New Mexico.  We were on our way to Colorado, getting ready to enjoy the holidays with friends and family, and we were deeply engrossed in our latest book, the protagonist now stepping up and saving the day. We were able to have peace of mind since we had inspected and prepared our vehicle for the trip. I do this checklist every time we go on a road trip, and I wanted to share it with you. Whether you purchased new or leased one of our Quality Assured Vehicles, here are eight tips beneficial in preparing your vehicle for your next road trip.


1. Secure and test the battery

Begin with your car off, pop the hood, and inspect the cables attached to your vehicle’s battery. They should be clean and secure to the nodes on the battery. If they move excessively, safely tighten them. *How to tighten and clean loose battery terminals


2. Engine oil and other fluids

Next, take a look at your oil and fluid levels. Engine oil should be clean and in the safe zone on the dipstick. Make sure your car is cool, and check your coolant level. If your vehicle is older, you can check that your transmission and power steering fluids are at safe levels. Always check to make sure you add the correct fluids according to your owner’s manual. 

3. Check belts and hoses

While looking under the hood, check your belts and hoses as well. You are looking for any signs of bulging, thinness, leaks, and cracks in your hoses. For your belts, note that they typically don’t show signs of wear but check if there are any visible frays, weak spots, or cracking. If no visual deficiencies are present, turn the engine on and see if the pulleys wobble or squeal. If you see any of the issues mentioned earlier, postpone your road trip until they are fixed.

4. Check tires

Now that we have checked the engine bay, it’s time to inspect the outside of your vehicle. Walk around the perimeter and examine each of your vehicle’s tires, including your spare/doughnut. Take a look at the tire walls for cuts, gouges, or sidewall bulges for any punctures or protrusions like a nail sticking out of the vehicle. Check each tire’s pressure. Don’t assume from your vehicle’s onboard system that they are good. You should always do this once a month to ensure your tire pressure sensors are performing correctly.

5. Wiper blades & windshield cleaner

As the sun beats down on your car, your wiper blades will break down and need to be replaced over time. An easy way to check their functionality is to fill up your windshield washer reservoir and splash your windshield, then engage your wipers! If you see streaks or your windshield is still dirty. It’s time to replace those wipers. You can also take this time to wipe your windows and windshield with rain repellent to help ensure consistent visibility in all kinds of conditions.

6. Climate Control 

Nothing is worse than driving in extreme heat or cold and not having working air conditioning or heating, especially during the holiday season.  Do a couple of drives around the block, blasting your heating and then cooling checking to see if it gets weaker while you drive, as this could signify that the system is going out. 

7. Brakes

During your drive, press your brakes. If you hear a grinding sound or your vehicle starts to shake while breaking, drive your car to an auto repair shop and have your trusted mechanic perform a brake inspection to ensure your vehicle’s brakes are operating safely. 


8. Replenish emergency kit supplies

Hopefully, you won’t experience any issues on your road trip. However, you should always include an emergency pack in your vehicle that has the following: 


  • First aid supplies, 

  • Drinking water and some non-perishable food for all your riders, including furry ones, 

  • Batteries, don’t forget an extra battery cell and charging cables for your phone too, 

  • Emergency flares or reflectors, 

  • A blanket, 

  • Tool kit and duct tape. 


What else would you bring? Let us know. 


Now that you have checked everything and your bags are packed, it’s time to drive safely and confidently to wherever the road leads you.  Happy Holidays!



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