Are you preparing to head out on a big road trip soon? Are you busy planning your route and itinerary, getting more and more excited with each passing day? Road trips are a wonderful way to vacation, allowing you to discover more about your surrounding area, state, and even other states,depending on your trip. Whether you’re going solo, with a friend or family member, or taking the kids and pets, there is something very nostalgic and special about this style of holiday.

However, before you get too far into the planning process, it’s important to think about road safety in terms of your vehicle. Here’s a look at five vehicle checks to make before your next road trip. This ensures the trip is not only a fabulous time in terms of sightseeing, but also a safe journey.

Check the Tyre Pressure

Tire pressure is extremely important for road safety, but did you also know it can save you money? By keeping your tires at a perfect pressure level – not too high or low – you will save in terms of fuel economy. That’s right, you’ll go through less gas. That will add up fast on a road trip when you’re traveling so many miles.  

Another way it saves money is that the tires will last much longer when properly inflated so you won’t have to replace them as often. Nowadays tires are quite expensive, so it’s well worth stretching the lifespan as much as possible.

Did you know that, if your tires are under-inflated, they can fail faster thanks to the heat they generate? This is why there is a safety aspect involved.

As you can see by these reasons, tire pressure isn’t something you want to take chances with. You can even go the extra mile and pack a tire pressure gauge and cordless tire inflator in the car just in case it’s needed while on your road trip.

Do an On-Board Diagnostics Check

If you’re under the impression that you need to book an appointment with your mechanic to have an on-board diagnostics check done, it’s time to think again. You can use an at-home OBD scanner tool instead, which puts all the power and controls in your hands. 

Be sure to check out the Carly Universal OBD Scanner whichalso features a companion app for added functionality. This tool can be used for car checks, diagnostics, coding, and maintenance purposes. It allows you to feel like a professional mechanic with access to real-time data.

How’s the Oil Level?

This is a really simple and quick check to do before your road trip, yet it’s another essential one. Checking the oil level to ensure it’s not too low means your engine will be able to work properly and safely. As you drive, the motor oil burns off so over time it will start to deplete. Without enough oil, you risk serious damage to your vehicle’s parts. Did you know that your engine could burn up and then seize in mere seconds if there is no motor oil? 

Experts tend to suggest you change and filter the oil (clean it out completely) every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but if you’re going on a road trip, make sure to do this before you leave.

The great part about this safety check is that you don’t need any special equipment or instruments to check the oil, and if you re-fill it or top it up, it’s also easy to do.

A Clean and Clear Windshield is Essential for Safety

Drivers always need to be concerned about road safety and one of the most important aspects when driving is to have clear, unobstructed visibility at all times. Your windshield needs to be clear of dirt, grime, and debris. Checking the windshield wiper fluid before heading out on your trip is a very smart move. Top up the front and back wiper reservoirs (if applicable) and make sure you use high-quality fluid.

It’s a good idea to use a funnel when topping up the fluid, as this will ensure you don’t have any spills or wastage. The final tip is to make sure you use the right type of fluid for the weather conditions. There are summer and winter fluids available.

Carry Out a Physical Inspection of the Vehicle

It also wouldn’t hurt to do a physical inspection of the vehicle, walking around the car and making sure everything looks good and nothing is loose or damaged. Now is the time to make any minor repairs before you hit the open road.

When In Doubt, Visit a Service Station

Each of these vehicle checks is very important to make before any road trip, but keep in mind that if you have any doubts, hear any strange noises, or the car isn’t behaving “normally” while on your trip, be sure to visit a service station promptly.If anything, it will give you peace of mind.

B xx