Excitement is in the air. School will soon be out. Families across the country are counting down the days until they pack their bags and head off to explore somewhere new. And while some families may opt for travel by plane, there’s still a large contingent of the population who still load up the family car and make their way down the road. Have a few quarts of AMSOIL Signature Series on-hand for your trip preps.
But, while new experiences are a great part of the vacation adventure, there’s one experience nobody wants to endure. No one wants to be stuck on the side of the road due to vehicle problems. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize your risks of being stuck on the side of the road, waiting for help to arrive.
Road Trip Checklist
Before loading up the car with the items needed for your road trip, make some time for a once-over. Ideally, do this a few days in advance so you have time to address any issues you may discover.
Tires
Inspect the tires. Carefully look at tires and note any low treads, nicks, gouges, or bulges. Look for any aspect that could lead to a blowout or flat. And, while you are at it, be sure to check your spare! If you see anything that gives you pause, make time for a trip to your preferred tire vendor. If the tires look good, then be sure to take a few minutes to check the pressure and inflate them to the recommended level, which can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb.
Brakes
Test the brakes. If there’s squealing sounds or a spongy feel to your brakes, then you should have them checked by a professional before you set out for your trip. While soft brakes are often due to needing more brake fluid such as AMSOIL’S DOT Synthetic Brake Fluid it could also be an indicator that new brake pads are needed.
Belts & Hoses
Check your vehicle’s belts and hoses. Belts should fit tight and secure to ensure they work correctly. In addition, inspect all hoses and belts for any cracks, fraying, or signs of wear.
Battery Check
How old is the battery? Most batteries have a 3-5 use life. Take your vehicle to an auto parts store where they can test your battery and let you know if it can last for a long road trip. While you may feel like you just bought that battery last year, it might be older than you realize.
Lights
Light Check! From the headlights to the taillights, blinkers to the brake lights, each of these lights plays an important part in the safe operation of your vehicle! After all, you want to see and be seen when driving. Even if everything is in working order, you may want to put a few spare bulbs in your emergency travel kit.
Windows
What about the Windows? Inspect the window washers and wipers for any wear and replaced them if necessary. You don’t want to get caught in a rainstorm and not be able to see because of a broken wiper. Also, this would be a good time to top off the wiper fluid and perhaps treat your window with a water-resistant coating, so rain beads off rather than blurs your view.
Engine Fluids (Are You Running AMSOIL Signature Series?)
Top off the Fluids. Your car needs an assortment of fluids to run properly. Be sure that all of these fluids are filled as they should be. And, to go the extra mile, consider using a synthetic oil such as AMSOIL Signature Series, especially designed to get the maximum performance out of your vehicle. Buy this and other AMSOIL synthetic oils and lubricants from LifeTimeOil.com.
So, are you ready to ride? If you have marked off this checklist you likely are. It’s time to load up and roll out. The road and vacation are calling your name!
