Road Trip Car Maintenance Tips

When you decide to take a road trip this year, preparation is very important. We will cover important road trip car maintenance tips to keep your car running safely before you leave. Our road trip car maintenance tips will include how to prepare for a road trip, safety tips to keep you healthy, and what you should bring with you during your road trip. Travel has changed due to the pandemic and planning will help you enjoy your road trip more.

Make An Appointment To Have Your Car Checked Over

Visit your local garage, auto body shop, or service center before your road trip to get a courtesy checkup on your vehicle. Most garages will check your tires, battery, fluids, air filters, belts and hoses, signals, and computerized system. You should make an appointment at your local garage or service station to have your vehicle checked and do any auto repair before you leave. That way you can enjoy your trip and have peace of mind and avoid possible car breakdowns.

Even used car dealers service their autos and they should be checked before a road trip. Many a used auto dealership has a garage that fixes vehicles that sell and keeps them running well. Repair your new or used car before you go on a road trip.

Check Brakes, Tires, and Battery

Your braking system is important to your safety and others, which is why checking it is an important part of our road trip car maintenance tips. Your mechanic should check the brake fluid pads, rotors, drums, and discs. That way you can repair any problem in the system before you leave. Brake repair is essential to a safe trip. The garage should check the air level in your tire and wear or tire thread. It is a good time to replace a worn tire and get a good spare for your trip. You should check the alignment and have them rotate your tires if it’s time to do so.

The battery in a vehicle wears down from leaving the lights on, hot and cold weather, corroded or loose connections, and battery age. Get your battery tested before going on a trip. They can replace it if needed, clean it off, or recharge it. That way it will not leave you stranded on the highway or anywhere on your trip.

Change and Fluids Before the Oil Before The Trip

One of the best road trip car maintenance tips is to get an oil change before a road trip. It helps keep the engine running smoothly. During the oil change, your garage can check the fluids in the car. The windshield washer fluid should be filled and ready for your road trip. Other fluids that should be checked are your brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering, and engine coolant. They can change the fluids if needed to prevent problems on your trip. It’s a good time to change the air filters and other filters inside the car.

Check the Air Conditioning to Make Sure It Works

Checking the air conditioner if you travel in hot weather to make sure it is working properly is one of the most important road trip car maintenance tips. Nothing is worse than traveling in hot humid weather with the windows down and sweating as you drive. It doesn’t add up to a pleasant road trip. Often your air conditioner may need to be recharged or have freon added to make it cool properly. Having it repaired before a road trip is worth the expense. Driving in hot weather without air conditioning is not good for your health. Consider a shorter road trip if you do not have air conditioning or cannot afford to fix it.

Other Things to Check Before a Road Trip

When you have a chip or crack in the glass it may be time to contact an auto glass repair shop and replacing the window or fix the problem is one of the best road trip car maintenance tips. If your vehicle has dents and dings, paintless dent removal may be the solution. It might be time to fix the cosmetic damage to your car’s exterior. You will want to clean the inside by vacuuming the upholstery and floors and wiping down the steering wheel and dashboard. It’s time to clean out the junk and only bring what you really need.

One of the more underestimated road trip car maintenance tips is cleaning out the glove compartment, the back seats, and trunk and remove what you do not need. Try to bring essential items. Do not clutter the car with too much stuff. If you want to bring items for entertainment, try to organize them in a container or box. Be sure to have a good spare tire in the trunk and an emergency kit in the car. Bring your cell phone but pull over to a rest stop, gas station, or restaurant to use it.

Plan Where You Stay Overnight Ahead Because Things Have Changed

Before you go, find out what’s open and their requirements for staying or visiting. Do they require masks, reservations, or have other conditions you have to meet? Are they open to outside travelers and how strict are their policies? Whether you are camping, staying at a hotel, or motel reservations are recommended, so you will have a place to stay. Check to find out the rules before you begin your adventure. Some parks and tourist spots might be closed.

Think about renting an RV and going camping instead of renting a motel room or renting a private home. Many motels and hotels have put safety measures into effect by cleaning well and providing contactless check-in and check-out. It is recommended that you clean your car well, bring supplies, and limit contact with other guests. Eat at restaurants that have social distancing or outdoor dining and visit attractions that follow these guidelines. Try to avoid overcrowded attractions where large numbers of tourists convene.

Good planning is the key to a fun road trip. Know the routes you plan to drive, get a reservation for the place you plan to stay, and practice cleanliness. Stay at hotels and motels that have social distancing procedures in place and don’t overbook guests.

Learn About Tourism Spots Requirements for Visiting

Before you visit museums and tourist attractions, check to see if they are open and their requirements for visiting. You may need to wear a mask and make reservations ahead, and will only have a limited amount of time to stay. Some buildings may not be open to the public and you can visit some and cannot access others. It’s important to be prepared when traveling and find out ahead about the places you plan to visit. That way you can decide whether you want to go there.

If you belong to Triple-A, use their service to help plan a good road trip. They have savings on hotels, motels, and tourist attractions. They might help you with booking reservations and getting car repair services if needed.

Bring Some Entertainment While Driving

Bringing a small camera or cell phone to take photos is a great road trip car maintenance tips. It is nice to have some photos of unusual sites and places. Bring a battery charger to keep the camera ready to take photos. Stock up on healthy snacks for the trip to avoid buying them at convenience stores. You can purchase popcorn, pretzels, granola bars, sugar-free iced tea, nuts, and bottled water for your trip. Bring road maps in the event your cell phone dies or the GPS breaks down. It’s good to teach kids how to read a map and know how to use it.

Bring cash and change for tolls on bridges and certain highways. Don’t use your ATM card because they often change banking fees for tolls. Carry enough cash and change to pay without using a credit or debit card. Bring a trash bag to throw out containers for food and drink that have been used. Be sure to throw it in the right location. Bring toilet paper with you, or paper towels because some restrooms run out or highway stops. Be prepared with hand sanitizer when you stop at tourist spots or along the way.

Bring a blanket, paper tablecloths for a stop at the beach or parks. You can cover tables with a paper table cloth and discard them after use. Bring a power inverter to help you charge your electronic equipment in the car. Bring sanitary wipes to use after eating or to wipe your hands after using public bathrooms. Bring some board games to amuse your children and the adults on the trip. Play songs using the radio and infotainment system. If you have room, bring your laptop along to use.

Make Sure Your Car and Health Insurance is Up to Date

Be sure to pay for your auto insurance before you leave and talk with your insurance rep to see what is covered. If an emergency happens, you will be prepared. Learn about your health insurance and what it covers in case of an emergency. Carry your card with your identification and check to see if emergency rooms and walk-in clinics are covered in other states. It might be a good time to review what is covered and some agencies may offer a short-term vacation health insurance policy.

Planning ahead could help you with auto or medical expenses. Your auto insurance might offer insurance for a road trip. Review carefully to make sure it covers what you’re looking for. Some policies may be expensive and not offer many benefits for car repairs or medical expenses.

Take Frequent Breaks When Driving

Stopping at a clean rest stop with bathrooms and restaurants so that you can take a break for 1/2 hour to one hour is underestimated for road trip car maintenance tips. Walk around and stretch your legs. Try to stop at parks with parking, picnic tables, and a path to walk along. Many cities and states have public and state parks where you can stop and take a break. Plan to take a break every four hours and give yourself adequate time to get somewhere. Take an extra day to arrive, and do not exhaust yourself.

Your breaks in driving should involve some exercise, eating healthy meals or snacks, and resting before continuing on.

Safety Tips For 2021

When you stop at a gas station for a bathroom stop, look for areas that have several stalls. That way, if one is crowded or not clean, you can use another. Stop at fast-food restaurants and buy something after using the restroom to take a break. You may want to wear a mask or gloves at some location because they are not very clean. Camping and renting an RV is one of the most physically distant types of travel. Try vacationing in less popular tourist spots that attract fewer people.

Vacation rental cabins, condos, or homes tend to be spaced further apart and cleaned more thoroughly. Look for rentals with laundry services so you can wash clothes and cleaning staff in the event you do not want to do it yourself. Instead of eating out, you might want to order food from the restaurant and pick it up. Eat at a motel or rental place. You can prepare your own meals, some in some motels because they have refrigerators and microwaves and rental units too.

Condos and cabins often have kitchens to prepare meals with dishware, pots, and pans. Keeping meals simple in motels helps with safety. Sandwiches, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, salads, takeout meals, pizza, and soup are easy to prepare and eat. When camping or renting, bringing a cooler full of snacks that can be refilled..

Stopping at outdoor attractions with social distancing is the best sites to visit. Bring an umbrella in case of rain. State parks, outdoor historical sites, botanical gardens, zoos, preservation sites, and nature centers provide social distancing and room to exercise. Other indoor sites with limited numbers and social distancing are acceptable. Think about traveling closer to home within your state or one close by. This will save money and stress. Learn the location of the local health services in the event of illness or accidents.

In conclusion, we have included suggestions on where to stay and tips on eating and visiting tourist sites. This tip will make your trip safer and less stressful.