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Car maintenance is integral year-round, but more so before a road trip. How ready is your used car for a long journey on the road? It is essential to prepare your used car ahead of your long road trip to avoid delays and unforeseen circumstances afterward. Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Woodford, Virginia gives you some breakdown on essential tips on how you prepare your car ready to make sure you stay safe n your epic adventure.

Check your fluids. For used cars, fluids serve as lifeblood. You need to take into consideration the distance you’ve driven since your last service and also the distance you are planning to go on your trip to decide what needs careful attention.

Check the oils. Aside from the fluids, oil is also critical for a car engine as it lubricates moving components like the crankshaft and pistons, so they can move smoothly without too much friction. You need to double-check your owner’s manual before setting a regular schedule for oil changes. Use a dipstick to check the fill level and oil condition, most especially when you’ve got an oil change within your recommended timeframe. Get it to check when you see that the oil is black, gritty, or below the minimum fill level.

Check the radiator fluid. Coolant works to lessen heat coming from the engine and dissipates it through the radiator.  The engine of the car produces a big amount of heat, and the radiator keeps it cool. Check your coolant if it is at a low level as it potentially causes overheating afterward.

Check the brake fluids. When you press the brake pedal of your car, the brake fluids also compress inside the brake line, which forces the brake pad to clamp to the rotors and give its signal to slow down the car. When your pedal has extra travel or feels spongy, air bubbles in the lines may be present, or the fluid may be contaminated. For a spongy pedal, you need to release those air bubbles out of the lines.

Inspect the tires. Make sure that the tires are evenly aligned and balanced. If they are uneven, it will become a major issue. You should also inspect your tire thread when they are worn out as it could potentially lose control of your vehicles.

Carry a first aid kit and roadside survival kit. For every road trip, it is a must that you carry with you a roadside survival road kit, which includes spare mobile phones and rechargeable battery pack, emergency tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, and a spare tire to be prepared for any worst-case scenario.

Learn how to fix a flat tire. Flat tires will happen unexpectedly in the middle of the road; hence, it is essential to have the spare tire in your trunk, but and as a driver, you need to know how to change it. Make sure that you have the proper equipment such as a tire wrench, jack, and cranking mechanism when you change a flat tire.

Check if all the lights and signals are well-functioning. Turn on each light and signal and see if everything is working properly. If there are problems, fix them immediately before your trip.

Take your car for a wash. For the best visibility possible, wash the window of your car. You can also opt to change your wiper blade, especially when they’re getting worn down, having smears on the car window when they swish back and forth.

Check the battery if it is working properly. It is more convenient to check and replace your battery and damaged cables ahead of your long road trip than you call a tow truck and buy a new battery because your car breaks down in the middle of the trip.

Consider a tune-up before the trip. You may consider replacing worn spark plugs to make it easier for the engine to star up, improve fuel economy, restore lost power, and ensure lower emissions.

Get the most out of your car for a long road trip!

If you have other queries on how to prepare your car ready for a long road trip, don’t hesitate to contact Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Woodford, Virginia now.