Is Your Automobile Ready for the Road Trip?

I make my living in one of those professions where no one wants to meet me on the job. As a wrecker driver these past several years, I have seen many road trips run amok. Fortunately for me, on the whole, the people I meet are nice and friendly. The few who aren't I just chalk it up to the fact that they were stressed by the situation. Nice, or not so nice, none of them wanted to meet me under the circumstances that brought me to them. To be honest, I would rather have met them some other way as well. The suggestions that follow will increase the odds that we meet at a corner convenience store by chance.

Before anyone embarks upon a long journey with his car filled to, or beyond, capacity with people and luggage; he really should do a few simple things to be certain the trip will go smoothly. In truth, one should do these things all of the time; but, with the average tow truck capable of carrying only two passengers it is extra important to start out with a vehicle in decent shape. The last bit of the previous sentence is important; "A vehicle in decent shape...." That fragment pretty much sums it up.

If one can not be reasonably assured that the vehicle they are about to take on a long journey will make it through the journey he should not go in that vehicle. Many a person, with good reason, has rented a vehicle to make their trip both doable and more pleasant. They would still do well to make a few of the inspections I am about to detail on a rental vehicle. After all, I have been sent out to get rentals too.

Let us start with the tires. Tires should have decent tread, should be properly inflated, and should show no bulges in the sidewalls. If the tires on the automobile with which you are about journey can't meet those requirements, it is then time to consider getting new tires; or, in the case of a rental, asking for another vehicle. While considering the tires, one should also make certain that there is a spare that is in good condition, that is properly inflated, and that the tools necessary to exchange a flat tire for the spare tire are present. Many a tow could have been avoided with a good spare tire.

One is never remiss in having the brake system checked before a long journey. Two things get accomplished by doing this. First, he is assured that he will have brakes when he needs them. Second, he gets all four tires removed from the hubs without doing it himself. That will make things easier should he, heaven forbid, need to change a flat tire during the trip.

Moving on to what is kept below the hood; One should check to see that the fluid levels are correct. Should any of the fluid levels be amiss, consideration should be given to what mechanical issues might be the culprit, and they should be fixed. One should take a look at the condition of the belts and hoses. They should be replaced if found in bad condition. Also below the hood, on many vehicles is the battery. (It can be found in other places depending on the vehicle make and model.) Its condition should be checked, and, if found lacking, the battery replaced.

Next, there are the turn signals and lights. It goes without saying, they need to be in working order. Getting a ticket from a foreign jurisdiction is never fun.

Everything I have mentioned thus far is just good common sense maintenance that one should do as a matter of course. The sad fact is that many an automobile owner simply gets into his car and drives. Take these steps before a road trip and we will hopefully meet reaching for the same bag of chips in the convenience store aisle.

Happy motoring.

Other articles by this author can be found here.