Car Checklist before Long Drive There’s no denying that proper preparation can contribute to a successful car journey. Any interruption or breakdown during the ride can completely puncture your excitement. It’s essential to mention that, unlike the prevalent belief, any road trip or a simple long drive doesn’t mean taking out the vehicle and hitting the lane, movie-style. There are several elements that you must consider first before heading on for the sunset.
Hence you must always look to check your car and take necessary precautions to make long trips both en training and stress-free. Car Checklist before Long Drive Here’s a detailed breakdown of the significant pre-journey checks that will help you to drive safely and avoid unanticipated car repair midway.
1.) Windscreen Wipers and Screen wash
There’s no denying that dirty windscreens can be detrimental to driving on the road. It would help if you never hit the road before washing the windshield as a smeared or dirty windscreen led to on-road accidents, let alone an absolute inconvenience. Furthermore, you must constantly assess your windscreen wipers for wear and consider car body repair if needed.
2.) Tyre Pressures
It would help if you always remembered a perfect tire pressure for smooth functioning of brakes and steers in your car. Even if one out of four wheels is running over or underinflated, it will negatively influence overall driving. You must look for tire pressure monitoring systems that will caution if the pressure is abnormal. In case your car doesn’t have this equipment, you must opt for a tire pressure gauge instead of assessing the tire pressure before a long drive.
3.) Tyre Tread Depth
It would help if you always rode with tires that have superior tread depth. This is large since a worn tire can negatively influence various elements of your driving- most significantly braking, handling, and safety as a whole. Hence it would be better to check the tire treads of your car before heading on for a long drive.
Your tires must ideally have a minimum depth of 1.6mm. This depth should be identical across the central three quarters, measurable by gauge. However, if your tread is going over 1.6mm, you must immediately consider replacing it at a car body repair.
4.) Oil Level
There’s no denying that oil is a vital cog of a perfect engine system in a car. In case your vehicle has run out of oil, it could lead your vehicle to costly damage and leave you stranded – something that you would not want when you are significantly far away from your place, without any car repair nearby.
In case your car is not alarming you when the oil is low, you must consider using a dipstick to check the oil levels, whether it has gone down below the minimum mark. Additionally, you must also not over-fill it as it can harm the engine.
5.) Engine Coolant
It’s essential to mention that the engine coolant in your car functions to maintain the engine’s condition. This is by effectively regulating the cooling system. However, modern car designs come with a closed cooling system. Hence they don’t require topping up. But with the old cars, you will check the levels at every interval and top it up if necessary.
6.) Lights
There’s no denying that perfectly functional lights and headlights are pivotal when driving on the road. While the lights primarily serve as a security tool for the driver, they also contribute to alerting the other drivers about your presence and intentions with the wheel in hand. Hence it’s only necessary to evaluate the conditions of the headlights, indicators, and brake lights, before going out a long drive. If they are not working, you must take the car to the nearby car repair.
7.) Windows and Mirrors
Much like the very first point, good visibility can significantly contribute to your safety and comfort when driving. Additionally, any dirt on either the inside or the outside of the car windows or door mirrors can hinder your viewing experience. In an ideal situation, you must give your car a complete wash. However, if you lack the necessary time, you should use some cleaning fluid and a cloth to wipe the windows.
8.) Fuel Level
If you plan for a long drive, you won’t like repeatedly halting for refilling the fuel. Instead, you must think of filling up your fuel tank to save time later on. All the modern car designs come with accurate fuel indication, thereby making a mental calculation of the miles left before you need a refill.
Additionally, if you have an electric or a plug-in hybrid car, you must ensure that it’s wholly charged before taking it for a Car Checklist before Long Drive. Furthermore, several plug-in vehicles facilitate the option of a timer for pre-heat or a pre-cool during charging. This will essentially help you in lowering the consumption of battery power once you start moving.
Here’s hoping that all the above-mentioned pre-journey checks will help you go for a long drive without interruption.