Feb 2, 2023

5 Essential Car Maintenance Tips Before a Long Road Trip

Taking a road trip is always a blast. According to a research survey, around 200 million Americans travel in summer and abound 80 percent of them travel by road. You can enjoy your American road trip, but only if your car is in good condition. 

This blog will provide some essential tips for car maintenance before you take off on your next road trip. By following these valuable tips, you’ll be able to avoid any costly mechanical problems down the road and ensure that your road trip is enjoyable from beginning to end. Take your car to Acura of Tempe for a quick car checkup before you start your journey to avoid any troubles!

  1. Check Car Fluids

An important task before any road trip is to check all of your car’s fluids. This includes the oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and washer fluid. Checking these fluids will help ensure that your car is running smoothly and can help prevent any engine problems.

  1. Change The Engine Oil

If it’s been a while since you’ve changed your car’s oil, now is a good time to do it. Depending on how often you drive, most carmakers recommend changing the oil every 5,000 miles. But if you’re planning on doing a lot of driving on your road trip, it’s best to change the oil before you go to ensure that your car is running at its best.

  1. Check Car Tires

Tire pressure and tread are two essential things to check before any road trip. Proper tire pressure will help improve your car’s gas mileage, while having enough tread on your tires will help ensure a smooth ride and good traction. You can check your car’s recommended tire pressure in the owner’s manual. As for tread, a simple penny test can tell you if your tires need to be replaced.

  1. Check Car Battery and Lights

Your car’s battery and lights are essential for long road trips, so give them a quick check before you go. Make sure your car’s battery is fully charged and that there aren’t any cracks or corrosion on the terminals. You should also test all of your car’s interior and exterior lights to ensure they are functioning properly, as a broken light could cause a safety hazard while driving.

  1. Pack An Emergency Kit

No matter how watertight your road trip plan is or how well your car is running, it’s always wise to be prepped for the worst. Pack an emergency kit with items like jumper cables, flares, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have the tools you need to handle it.

Follow these essential car maintenance tips, whether you’re planning a long road trip or want to ensure your car is in roadworthy condition for summer. By taking care of your vehicle now, you can avoid costly repairs down the road and ensure a safe and comfortable journey. If you have any questions or need help getting your car ready for summer, our team at Acura of Tempe, serving Tempe, AZ, is here to assist you. 

Schedule service today, and let us take care of everything!