The Ultimate Road Trip Car Maintenance Checklist

The Ultimate Road Trip Car Maintenance Checklist

By following a simple road trip car maintenance checklist, you can ensure that your vehicle will be safe and enjoyable to drive!

Tires

Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They provide traction, ensure responsive braking and support the vehicle load. Before taking a long road trip, check your tires’ air pressure and tread depth. Also, make sure the spare has proper tire pressure and is balanced properly. Properly inflated tires save gas and improve fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent. They are safer, last longer and can reduce your vehicle’s risk of a blowout or flat tire. ​

Tire rotation should be completed every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or as soon as you notice that one side of the tire is wearing down significantly faster than the other. This helps the tires wear evenly across their entire surface and can help them last longer.

Battery

Before you start a road trip, check the condition of your battery. Look to see if the battery terminals are clean and tightened up. If the battery is starting to slow down, you may need a new one. You should also check your brakes. If they are making a loud noise or require extra pressure to stop, you should call a mechanic and get them checked out before your road trip.

Brakes

If you’re planning a summer road trip, your car needs to be ready for the drive ahead. You don’t want to get stranded in a foreign country or spend more money than you planned on repairing the damages to your vehicle. Brakes are one of the most important components on a car and need to be maintained regularly. Performing preventative maintenance on your brakes before you travel will ensure your safety and help to keep you on the road. ​

The most common signs of brake problems are a squealing or screeching noise when you step on the brake pedal and a lack of responsiveness. This usually means that the brake pads are wearing down and need to be replaced. The rotors also need to be checked for damage. When rotors are worn down, blue rings and spotting will appear and they may have a slightly concave surface. This can make braking more difficult and may require you to use the brakes more frequently.

AAA Sandoval Transmissions

Before you head off on your next road trip, it’s crucial to make sure that your vehicle is ready for the big ride. That way, you can hopefully avoid an unexpected car breakdown that could ruin your adventure. Besides checking your vehicle for fuel and water, you should also have it inspected for essential fluids, tires, brakes and other parts. With that said, the most important thing to do before you leave on your trip is to ask a qualified professional to inspect your vehicle. Be sure to contact our full-service mechanics here at AAA Sandoval Transmissions to schedule an appointment today!

Categorised in: Car Maintenance

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