If your car is reaching a certain age, it’s normal to worry about taking it on a long trip. However, what most people don’t realize is that long trips damage your car less than short city trips.
The speed will be constant, you will not need to apply the brakes as often, making the car use less gasoline and the engine does not have to work too hard.
But, the last thing you want is to have a breakdown away from home. To avoid this, carry out some simple checks, the sooner the better; two to four weeks before departure would be the best option.
- Fix the main problems: If your car needs major repairs, they should be done as soon as possible. This will give you time to see if there is something really wrong with the car, and you will have time to fix it.
A good thing to keep in check is the coolant. If you go somewhere warmer or colder than you’re used to, your car can suffer from the changes. Ask the mechanic to check if your vehicle is properly protected and to do so as soon as possible.
- Check tires and spare parts: Make sure your tires have the proper pressure. If you have low pressure, your tires will heat up and this can cause them to explode if you accelerate. The best way to do this is to consult your owner’s manual, to see what is the best pressure for your car. Also, check the tread of your tires.
A good thing to do beforehand is to check the spare tire: is it inflated? Also, check to see if the jack, wrench, and everything you need to change a tire is in the trunk.
- Check the glove box: Make sure you have the owner’s manual and registration for your vehicle. If you no longer have the manual, ask for a replacement or ask if they don’t have it in PDF format on their websites.
Check the registration to see if it won’t expire while you’re away, and keep it in your wallet or pocket, in case your car is stolen. It’s also a good idea to have a road atlas there, just in case.
- Check the air filter: If your air filter is clogged or clogged, it will cause you to spend more fuel. They are not very expensive and are quite easy to change. If you’ve never had your filter changed and your car has over 10,000 miles on it, it’s time to change it.
- Join Triple A: If you don’t have a roadside assistance program, consider triple A. In an emergency or if you have a problem, they’ll tow it for you, fill it with gas if you run out of gas, and change your tire if it goes flat.
