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Discover essential tips for using your car for travel and enjoy unforgettable road trip adventures with safety and fun!
There’s nothing like a travel adventure to get you excited, and whether you’re staying in your home country or going abroad, it’s always good to be prepared.
While some people might hire a car for a travel adventure, many will use their own car or SUV. This might be fine for some, but some car owners might consider their vehicle a little temperamental or perhaps not the best car for tackling certain terrains.
However, as long as it’s safe to drive and you’re a responsible driver, using your car for a road trip shouldn’t be too much of a problem. With that in mind, here are some tips for using your vehicle on your next travel excursion.
Enjoy traveling with family and discovering new experiences. Photo courtesy iStock by Getty Images
Check Your Car’s Battery
Your car’s battery is integral to its operation, so you want to check it over before you leave. Not everyone will know what to look for or what to consider a problem, so here are some practical ways of ensuring your car’s battery is running smoothly.
Check the voltage
Check the battery health indicator
Do the headlight test
Look for other signs, like if the car has trouble starting
If you’re unsure or have any concerns about your car’s battery, it’s always a good idea to get it checked over by professionals. They’ll be able to tell you if something is wrong and it needs addressing.
Be sure to check the battery before your road trip. Photo by Joe Belanger via iStock by Getty Images
Get New Plates if the Current Plates are Damaged
Your vehicle’s license plates should always be in good condition and visible; otherwise, you could get in trouble with the law.
If you’ve noticed that your current plates are damaged or holding on for dear life, you might want to consider fixing them properly or replacing them.
This might be an excellent opportunity to try something new and get DVLA number plates. This is worth exploring if you’d like to choose specific plates.
Ensure that your license plates are where they should be on the front and back of the car and on any additional vehicles you tow. If the number plates are fine but a little dirty, wipe them down before you leave.
Inspect the Tires
Tires are integral to the car’s performance, so you must ensure they’re in good condition before driving off your driveway.
It’s a good idea to look at your tires visually and then check them by pushing down on them. This will help pinpoint any issues with tires that might be lacking air.
Check your tires when getting your car ready for a road trip. Photo by Shutter2U via iStock by Getty Images
Your tires should be inflated to the right level on the road. Each car is different, so it’s always good to pay attention to your car’s manual to know what to look for regarding air levels.
You should also replace any tires that have seen better days to ensure your safety and that of any loved ones traveling with you.
Bring an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit helps keep everyone safe on the road. You never know what might happen on your travel adventures, so while an emergency kit is good for the car, it’s also something you want to have for the benefit of yourself and your passengers.
Emergency kits should be stocked with all of the essentials. From plasters to bandages, painkillers to sterile water. Anything you can include that doesn’t take up too much room and, ideally, will go in the dashboard storage compartment is worth doing.
Check Engine and Other Fluids
The fluids in your car are essential to its health. They keep the car moving while protecting all of its ‘organs,’ from the engine oil to the coolant and windscreen wash.
Before you leave for your next travel adventure, you should check the engine oil and other fluids you typically top up now and then.
Be attentive regarding these fluid tests and thorough when replacing or top up the fluids. If you’re unsure what you’re doing, booking a local mechanic who can do it all for you is a good idea. At a cost, of course, but it might be better than trying to attempt it yourself with little to no experience.
Take a Look at Your Exterior
Pay particular attention to your car’s exterior. When maintaining your vehicle’s good condition, your exterior is essential to keep on top of. From regular cleaning to identifying any damage that needs fixing, it’s a good idea to look at your exterior before leaving.
Making sure nothing is hanging off that shouldn’t be, or nothing is leaking that would be a cause for concern is good practice. You should always be doing this, regardless of where you’re going, so try to keep on top of it when using your car regularly.
It’s a good idea to check your vehicle inside, outside, and under the hood before heading out on a road trip. Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
Ensure Lights and Sensors are Working
It is worthwhile to check that all lights and sensors work as they should to monitor your car’s performance. However, be mindful of how you do this alone, as it can be a little harder to check certain lights from your driver’s seat.
Ideally, you want someone out there who can check the lights so that you can tick them all off before you go. If there are any problems, you can hopefully get them fixed before you leave. Certain lights not working can cause trouble on the road, so they must work properly.
Decide and Plan Your Route
When using your car for a travel adventure, you should make sure you’ve decided on the route and planned for it in advance. This is a great way to ensure everything goes according to plan and hopefully avoid any problems on the road.
Deciding your route is a good idea the night before or the morning of, depending on what your GPS says is the best route. GPS systems will also send you on routes you don’t want to go down, so it’s always a good idea to carefully decide and plan out your route to be appropriate for you as the driver.
Have a Breakdown Service on Speed Dial
Finally, and probably one of the most critical steps in preparing your car for the road, is to have a breakdown service on speed dial. This can be handy should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing help and breaking down. It is vital to have this service available at the touch of a button.
Using your car for a travel adventure is always good fun, but it’s good to be prepared and plan. Ensure the vehicle is in good condition so you don’t encounter too many problems. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for ideas on some of our favorite road trips when you’re ready for a travel adventure!
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