Millions of people head out onto the road to celebrate Labor Day. As the unofficial end of summer, it’s one of the last holidays Americans have to get out and enjoy the warmth and sun. In addition to packing the essentials and obtaining cheap auto insurance that best meets their needs, drivers should have their car battery tested as well as the cooling system to avoid facing issues along the way.
The last thing you want while on a road trip is to have your car fail. You’re in an unfamiliar area, family members and friends are disappointed, and breaking down can throw a real monkey wrench into solid vacation plans. Take the time to prep your car beforehand so you can be confident things will go smoothly.
Preventative Maintenance
Ideally, you’re already in the mindset of taking care of your car and abiding by the maintenance schedule suggested by the car’s manufacturer. This will help insure that your car may not need any surprising or expensive repairs. It’s still a great idea to get your vehicle checked out a couple of weeks before taking off on your trip, to get a professional’s opinion of its health. Other services to attend to include:
- Checking or changing the oil. If it’s been 3 months or 3,000 miles since your last oil change, it’s a good idea to get one again before the trip. You’ll be putting a lot of strain on the engine so you’re doing yourself and your car a favor by renewing it with fresh oil.
- Clean the air filter. Think of the car’s air filter like the lungs of the car. Every day you drive the vehicle air whooshes into it, pushed through the air filter. Through dust, debris, smog, etc. it’s bound to get dirty and blocked. A dirty air filter can significantly hinder engine performance.
- Inspect the tires. You’re relying on your car to get you to your destination. The tires are an important part of the equation. Check the tires for any wear: splitting, cracking, tread wear, and spots. If you see anything concerning, take it to your garage for them to inspect it. Replace tires as needed – you’ll be glad you did!
- Double check all lights and signals. You’ll need a friend to help you do this. Press on the brakes, use the turn signals, turn on the lights and then the brights and have your friend make sure that all of them are working.
- Check for leaks. Leaks can be tricky because they can easily go unnoticed. You pull into your regular parking spot every day and might never see the area underneath. Inspect the pavement where you usually park your car whether it’s in the garage, driveway or street to see if your car is leaking any fluids.
Send them to professionals immediately if you notice your car leaking any fluids as they can quickly top up for you using automated liquid dispensing systems such as these from Technodigm. - Check the battery. A dead battery is certainly not something you want to deal with while on your trip. Perform a LOAD test to see if the battery is operating efficiently. If there is corrosion on the terminals take it to your mechanic if you aren’t comfortable with cleaning it yourself.
- Use a glass sealant. Your windshield is the barrier between you and the rest of the world and after just a short time on the road you know that grime and dead bugs can accumulate quickly. Using a glass sealant will help get it clean and will also protect against dirt build up and pitting.
- Pack an emergency kit. In the off chance that you do run into an issue, it’s wise to pack an emergency kit. This can include: water bottles, flashlight with batteries, portable phone chargers (already charged), snacks, paper maps, blanket, and jumper cables.
Fuel Tips
Traditionally, summer time is when gas prices are the most expensive. They tend to drift downward after Labor Day. While that doesn’t help you now – before Labor Day weekend – there are still ways to save on fuel costs.
- Install a cheap gas app on your phone so wherever you are on your trip you can locate the best priced gas.
- Fuel up in the morning or in the evening when the day is at its coolest. Gas is less dense during the hot times of the day which means you’ll end up getting less of it for the same price.
- When you find gas that’s priced relatively inexpensively, fill up your tank. You can’t be sure what you’ll see down the road as far as gas prices go.
Don’t let poor planning get in the way of a fun trip! Start a couple of weeks ahead to make sure your car is running in tip-top shape so you can concentrate on making those great late summer memories.
