Car Care and Checklist for Road Trip

Are you planning a road trip across Australia? If you are, you must know that you couldn’t have chosen a more bucket list-worthy thing to do. From some of the most beautiful national parks to breathtaking coasts – Australia is a perfect country for a scenic road trip.

However, before you set off on your trip, you should be fully prepared. And that includes getting your car ready for a cross-country ride.

Here is how you can make sure that your car is road trip ready. 

Check the battery

Probably the first thing every good mechanic will tell you is to check your car’s battery before the trip. The inspection of a battery implies checking to see that there are no loose posts and that the case is not cracked. Signs of leaking fluid are also something you should look for. 

If you aren’t sure how to inspect your battery or what to look for, you can always take your car to a mechanic so that they can check the battery for you.

All in all, you need to make sure that your battery is clean and that the posts are not loose.

Inspect the breaks

The next thing you should test is breaks. Car brake inspection is very important as it can help you detect problems before they become bigger and more serious. The most common reason why brakes fail is loss of brake fluid.

If you notice that there’s something wrong with your brakes, whether that’s the lack of fluid or worn out brake pads, the best would be to take your car to the mechanic.

If you’re from the Gold Coast, you’d be glad to know that an experienced mechanic in Nerang does all the brake repairs you may need. A certified technician will check your brakes and determine exactly what’s wrong. 

Check belts and hoses

The last thing you want to happen on your road trip is a broken belt or even a hose. To avoid these types of problems on your trip, make sure you check your car’s belts and hoses.

Belts that you should inspect include the serpentine belt and the power steering belt. In case your car doesn’t have a serpentine belt, check the air conditioner belts. What you should be looking for when inspecting these belts is any sign of rot or cracking, also you should check how loose the belts are.

When checking hoses, make sure that they are secured and that there are no signs of dry rot. In case you notice any of the above-mentioned changes on your car’s belts and hoses, you should change them as soon as possible. Don’t start your trip without doing this.

Check tires

Your safety and the safety of the people in your car are crucial. That’s why checking the state of tires regularly is important. Not just before the trip, but regularly. The tires need to be in good shape – meaning the tire’s treads and the air pressure. 

Before setting off on your trip, check the tire tread depth and inflate the tires if necessary. You can check the air pressure with the help of an air gauge and then compare it with the recommended tire pressure. If you have to change the tires do so and always have a spare tire in the back of your car.

Don’t forget the fluids

We already mentioned the brake fluids, but there are also other car fluids that need not be forgotten. In addition to brake fluids, check transmission fluids, oil, coolant fluid, and washer fluid.

If you see that there aren’t enough fluids in your car top them up. The fluids should be checked regularly not just before the road trip.

Replace the filters 

While you’re checking the fluids, it’s a good idea to check and replace the filters if necessary. Your car may need new oil and air filters. Clogged air filters can affect the quality of air in your car, they can affect the car’s performance and gas mileage. So, it’s a good idea to check and replace the filter at least once a year or every 10 000 miles.

Bring all the necessary tools

Sometimes no matter how well we take care of the car, it breaks down. In case the car breaks down during the road trip, you should be prepared. Most people always have some basic car tools in their car – wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and so on. 

If you don’t already have these tools, make sure you place them in your car before the trip. Also, ensure you have a set of jumper cables and a volt meter.

Make enough time to do the car check-up

Car maintenance and care is something that every driver should do regularly. However, if you’re waiting for the road trip to perform a detailed car check-up, you may run into problems.

Don’t wait the last couple of days to do the car check-up, either do it well before the trip or do it regularly. You never know what may come up and how extensive the repairs may be. 

Going on road trips is exciting and adventurous, but it can turn into a nightmare if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. If you want to have only the best memories from your road trip, make sure you take good care of your car and prepare it for the trip on time.