How to Check Your Car Before a Road Trip

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual.

Planning on going on a road trip soon? Before you do, you should check your car to make sure that it is in good condition. Here's how.

Steps

1. 1
   Check the fluids in your car. Checking the oil, coolant and brake fluid levels may help you avoid an accident or an unnecessary breakdown.

   2

2. 

   Tire pressure Check
   Check your air pressure. These should be printed in the owners manual or a sticker on the body where the drivers door shuts. The pressure marked on the side of the tire is the max which must not be exceeded. Also, don't forget to check your spare tire pressure. Often neglected, not doing so will turn a bad time into a worse one if unusable.
3. 3
   

   Oil Change
   If it is almost time to get the oil changed, do it before you leave. A long trip can put additional stress on your motor.
4. 4
   Check your tire wear by using a penny or tread gauge. Tires heat up on long trips which can cause blowouts on worn out tires.
5. 5
   

   From Wikipedia article.
   Check your car's air filter. A plentiful supply of clean air to your engine improves it performance.
6. 6
   

   Car Wash
   Wash your car. At the minimum, clean the windows of your car for the best visibility.
7. 7
   

   Check the lights.
   Check to be certain that all lights and signals are functional on your car. You will need the help of another person for this. Sit in the car, turn on each light or signal and ask your friend to tell you if it is working or not. Replace bulbs as necessary. Note: occasionally, lights may not work because a fuse needs replacing.
8. 8
   Ensure that you have all emergency equipment inside your car, and that everything works properly. Emergency equipment includes, an up-to-date map, cell phone, spare tires and emergency tools.Though usually absent; flares, flashlights, medical kits and fire extinguishers may come in handy in worse-case scenarios.

   
   

Video

Tips

• You can get most commercial oil change facilities to do all of this for you at a (semi) reasonable cost.
• Clear out trash or unnecessary "junk" from your car. Nothing spoils a road trip like the smell of stale french fries that fell under the seat.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Tire gauge
• Jumper cables
• Car
• Emergency kits
• Spare tire
• sources and citations;

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