Is Your Vehicle Ready for the Road?

There are various reasons why one chooses to travel. It could be a way to relax and to rejuvenate your life away from the boredom of routine. It could be due to business. It could be merely out of fulfilling a lifelong curiosity about the vastness of the country. Whatever your reason, your experience should be enjoyable, fun packed and stress free. And if your means of travel is by road you must ensure that the vehicle you are using is reliable, efficient and most importantly safe.

It is important to have a check list and a thorough car inspection. Below are some important inspections to consider to make sure that your vehicle is ready for the road.

1. Inspect your tires

Always check your tires for any tears or bulges along the side wall. The tires should also have a sufficient amount of thread left. Check the tire pressure and if need be replace your tires before you set off on your road trip.

2. Basic maintenance

Perform basic maintenance on your vehicle. Basic maintenance includes; checking the desired fluid levels, the wipers, oil changes or tune ups. The engine air filter and fuel system cleaning should also be done.

3. Check the cooling system

What most people do not realize is that the cooling system failure is one of the most common vehicle failures during travel. It is therefore important to do a complete check before you leave. This is done by; replacing old fluid with clean and fresh fluid, checking for leaks and weakened hoses and replacing worn parts such as the radiator cap or the water pump.

4. Inspect the suspension system

The suspension system should be checked for worn or damaged parts. You may need new shock absorbers or struts. Replacing worn shocks and struts is very important because it will restore the ride control and handling of the vehicle. It will be as if your car was as good as new.

5. Check the lights

The lights are very important especially as a safety feature for anyone who intends to travel. Make sure that you check all your lights i.e. the turn signals, the brake lights and the headlights. Driving with lights that do not function properly is not only dangerous, but may also earn you a fine from the traffic police.

6. Check the GPS system

The Global Positioning System in your vehicle is the most convenient innovation and addition of the recent generation cars. People refer to it as the car navigation system because it generally helps you get to where you intend on going in the shortest time possible using the easiest route possible. Safe to say this should be on your check list before you leave the familiar roads of home.

7. Get familiar with your Tool kit

Ensure that you know the location of your basic toolkit and check for the essentials for example a jack and tire removal tools. Know where and when to use the tools should you be required to do a quick fix on the way.

At the end of your trip, you will be glad that you performed this check list for your vehicle. Travel plans are ruined or cancelled completely due to lack of proper preparation. Finally, do not forget to enjoy your travel experience.

Carl Davis is a vehicle enthusiast and frequent traveler. He takes pride in competing and winning at car inspection competitions in his home town of Houston Texas. He is also the proprietor of Carl’s General Repair Garage also located in Houston Texas.