Road Trip Checklist: Is My Car Ready For A Road Trip?

Taking a road trip is a fun way to see and explore the world around you. It’s important to make sure your car is ready for a trip and can handle the lengthy drive before you go. We’ve put together a handy checklist for your vehicle to make sure it’s road-trip-ready.

Replenish the Fluids

When you’re on the road for a long period of time, you’ll notice that the windshield gets a lot dirtier than it does when you’re just commuting short distances or driving around town. A bug-splattered window is generally part of the road trip experience, so you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle’s windshield cleaning system can keep up. Pop the hood and check the windshield washer fluid level. Top it off so you’re ready for whatever comes splattering across the glass.

You should also check the other fluid levels, including power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant. If any of these fluid levels are low, top off their reservoirs. If the level drops immediately after you top it off, you may have a leak that needs repair. The service technicians at Huffines Subaru Corinth can check your reservoirs and perform any necessary repairs on your Subaru.

Check the Oil

The oil in your vehicle helps to cool down and lubricate the engine. When you’re on a road trip, the engine runs at high temperatures for longer periods of time, so you want to make sure the vehicle has plenty of fresh oil. Pull the dipstick and check the level and color of the oil. If it’s low and/or darker than honey, the next step is replacing the oil and filter. Our technicians specialize in oil changes and can perform this important maintenance task on your vehicle before you head out on the road.

Test the Lights

Your vehicle’s lighting system will play a critical role on your road trip, especially when you’re driving after the sun has gone down. Lighting fixtures that don’t work are safety hazards and can increase your risk of getting into a collision. Drivers can also get tickets for driving with one or more lights out on their cars.

You can check the headlights and fog lights (if your car has them) on your own, but you’ll need to enlist the help of someone else to check the taillights. Press down on the brake pedal and have your assistant check that the brake lights engage. Turn your headlights on and check that the taillights illuminate as well. If any of the lights don’t turn on, you’ll need to replace the bulb or have the electrical system checked.

Check the Tires

Tires keep a vehicle in contact with the road and provide traction, so they’re crucial safety components. Driving on worn or bald tires is extremely dangerous, especially if you encounter slick or rough patches of road on your trip. Check the tread of your tires by placing an upside-down penny between the treads. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, you should replace your tires before you head out.

If your tires still have plenty of tread, check the air pressure. You can find the recommended pressure level printed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on a sticker placed on the inside of the driver’s door. If the tires are low, head to a fuel station and fill them up to the proper level for safety. Driving on improperly inflated tires can negatively impact your car’s fuel efficiency, cause uneven tread wear, reduce traction, and increase the risk of catastrophic failure (also known as a blowout).

Don’t forget to check for a spare tire and/or a tire repair kit. Having a spare tire can make it easier to drive to the nearest dealership or tire shop if you do experience a blowout. A tire repair kit might also come in handy if one of your tires sustains minor damage.

Pack an Emergency Kit

It’s smart to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times, as you never know when you might get stranded somewhere. Having a kit of essential items is especially useful when you’re taking a road trip. Some of the must-have items to include in your kit are:

• A flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Warm clothing and a blanket
• A portable cell phone charger (not just a charging cable, as it won’t help if your car won’t start and the battery in your phone is dead)
• A basic first-aid kit
• A reflecting triangle or road flares
• A car escape tool (a tool that allows you to cut off your seatbelt and break the windows in an emergency)
• Water bottles
• Non-perishable food items

With these items in your vehicle, you’ll be better prepared if you break down and have to wait for emergency assistance or perform a quick repair.

Schedule a Tune-Up

After you check the fluids and critical safety components of your vehicle, it’s smart to bring it in for a tune-up. An experienced automotive technician can assess the condition of the parts you can’t see, including any belts and hoses, to make sure that everything is working properly. Subaru owners can trust the skilled technicians at Huffines Subaru Corinth to provide pre-road trip tune-ups on all Subaru models.

Other services we provide include warning light diagnostic testing and resolution, weather preparation, and oil and fluid changes. We can take care of your Subaru’s brake system and help you find parts that you need to care for your vehicle. Our location also has a tire center where you can get new tires or have your existing tires rotated and balanced to ensure even wear and safer driving.

When you take the time to check your vehicle before you take it out on a road trip, you can head out feeling more confident that it will perform as it should. Following this quick pre-trip checklist can also help keep you and your passengers safe. If you’re concerned about your Subaru’s condition or ability to perform well on a long trip, schedule service at our location, and we’ll take a closer look!