Road trips are an American tradition. Grab your car, a full tank of gas, and some road snacks, and your whole family is ready for a grand adventure. But the foundation of a great road trip is a reliable car. So before you head out on your next expedition, make sure you tend to these essential car maintenance checks.
Engine Temperature
The worst thing that could happen to your car on a road trip is an overheated engine. For a couple weeks before your road trip, check your engine temperature occasionally while driving. Make sure it’s in the normal range and hovering right around the middle of your dashboard temperature gauge. If it’s creeping up towards the higher end, your radiator may need maintenance.
To maintain a healthy radiator, first clean the radiator blades. This makes sure that no dirt or debris is obstructing the ventilation system. If your fan belt looks worn or has a lot of slack, swap it out for a new one. Top off your coolant, too, and it doesn’t hurt to keep a spare bottle of coolant in the car for your journey.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is crucial for a safe road trip as a blown tire could result in a wreck. First, check your vehicle owner’s manual for the proper tire pressure. You can also find this information on the sticker inside the driver’s door. Keep a tire pressure gauge in the glove compartment so you can check your tire pressure in different conditions. You can find tire pressure gauges that are no bigger than a pencil and are easy to store.
Check your tires at the coldest part of the day after your car has been still for a few hours, like first thing in the morning. If your tire pressure is too low, add air. Check your tire pressure again at the hottest part of the day and after you’ve been driving for at least 10 minutes. If your tire pressure is too high, you’ll need to release some air. You can get air for your tires at most gas stations, often for free.
Headlights
When driving on unfamiliar roads, you’ll rely heavily on your headlights. Plastic headlight covers become cloudy over time and can reduce the potency of your headlamps. While some headlight covers can be cleaned of dust and debris, others will need to be replaced in order to give you that all-important nighttime sight.
Engine Oil
If you haven’t had your oil changed in a while, it’s best to do it right before a road trip. Most cars need an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Before you head out, check your oil level and clarity. When you pop the hood and pull up the dipstick, the oil level should be between those two black dots you see at the tip of the metal. If the oil is low, add the right oil to your reservoir. The oil should look a burnt orange color. If it’s dark, you may need to change your oil altogether.
You trust your car to get you from one place to another. And you should! While you’re out on the open road with your family, you should be worried about enjoying the scenery and the sights, not your car.
This photo, “_IMG_4079,” by Owen Iverson used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.o. “_IMG_4079” is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.