Before you hit the highway for a summer road trip, make sure your car is ready. One to two weeks prior to your trip, confirm that your vehicle's scheduled maintenance is up-to-date and investigate any vibration, shimmy, leak or irregular noise which could indicate that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. If you have concerns, let a certified automotive mechanic inspect your car and answer any questions. Add an emergency road kit to your packing list, containing screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, emergency flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, a tire iron and a jack.
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Vehicle Preparation Checklist
Check under the hood:
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Hoses should be firm, but not brittle
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Belts should be tight, with no cracks
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Automatic transmission fluid should be red in color
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Brake fluid should be gold in color
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Engine coolant color varies, but the fluid should not be muddy
Engine fluids should be changed if they smell unusual, are discolored or have a gritty texture. During your trip, check the oil level every other time you fill the gas tank to ensure that the higher engine RPM resulting from road trip driving does not cause the oil to run low.
Check the tires:
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Use a tire gauge and refer to the owner's manual to ensure that the tires are inflated to the proper pressure (be sure to include the spare tire)
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Inspect the tires for abnormal wear, missing tread, bulges or splits, which would require the tire to be replaced
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If you feel a vibration while driving or if the car pulls to one side, have the tires balanced and aligned
Check the interior and exterior:
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Confirm that the safety belt buckles are accessible and the harnesses are secured
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Inspect the windshield wipers for damage or deterioration
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Test the vehicle lights, including high and low beam headlights, fog lights, turn signals, hazard lights, brake lights and tail lights
Have a safe trip!