Planning to set out on a road trip this summer break? Road trips are thrilling. When you set out on a road trip, you can explore at your own pace. Not surprisingly, 75% of Americans are planning to take a road trip this summer.
Whether you’re taking a road trip to the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, Colorado or the Hana Coastline, Hawaii, preparing your car for the long haul is important. Your car must be as ready for the journey as you. Or, it might break down mid-journey and turn your adventure into a stressful ordeal tanzohub.
That said, here we’ll share some tips that will help you get your car ready for your road trip.
#1 Inspect the Air Pressure of Tires
Setting out on a long road trip without inspecting your tires is never a good idea. Your tires keep your car in contact with the road. If they are worn out, you can lose control of your vehicle. Blowouts—the sudden bursting and release of air from the car tires—can also occur. For your and other travelers’ safety, inspect your tires thoroughly.
Start with the air pressure of your tires. Your car’s tires should neither be underinflated nor overinflated. Less air pressure will lead to poor fuel economy and make the car difficult to steer. Meanwhile, too much pressure will make the tires stiff and inflexible. Both will make your ride uncomfortable.
A tire pressure gauge will help you measure the air pressure. Compare the reading with the pressure recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. You’ll find it either on the driver’s door jamb sticker or the car owner’s manual.
#2 Top Up All Fluids
Is your car really prepared for a long haul if all the fluids are not at optimum levels? Unequivocally, no. You must top up all fluids before you hit the road so that your car operates smoothly.
Check the engine oil first. Use a dipstick for it. If the oil is below the specified limit, you must fill it up. However, you will have to get an oil change if the oil is dirty or grimy.
Move to the coolant, then. Coolant or antifreeze must be at the right level, or it will cause your car to overheat. Hence, top it off if it’s below the specified limit.
Make sure you inspect the brake fluid level, too. A spongy pedal is a good indication of low brake fluid. It is important to fill the brake fluid up to the specified limit in such a case.
Check the transmission fluid as well. Your vehicle will make strange grinding noises, and your gear will slip if the transmission fluid is low. You might even notice a burning smell coming from your vehicle. To avoid inconvenience, top up the transmission fluid if it’s low.
Make sure you also top up the power steering and windshield fluids. When all the fluids are at the right level, your car will run efficiently.
#3 Install a Dashcam
Road trips offer families and friends the opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime. Why not capture the fun, smiles, and atmosphere of the journey? Installing a dashcam in your car will allow you to capture your trip. You can trim the videos and share them on your socials.
Dashcams are not only great for capturing memories, but they also help eliminate blind spots. This minimizes the risk of accidents. Still, if you get involved in one due to another driver’s fault, a dashcam will prove invaluable in establishing liability.
These small cameras record the road ahead as you drive. If you get involved in a car accident due to no fault of your own, you can use the captured footage to prove you weren’t at fault.
Case in point—a car accident that took place in Colorado Springs. Just recently, a small SUV traveling southbound and a large SUV traveling northbound collided head-on.
On-scene investigators concluded that the southbound car crossed the center intersection and collided with the northbound car. Police officers suspect alcohol was a factor in the car accident. Not surprisingly, travelers of both vehicles suffered injuries.
Imagine if you were in the northbound SUV. The injuries you would have sustained in the car crash would have turned your road trip into a nightmare. Car accidents, Springs Law Group explains, can result in serious injuries like spinal cord damage, concussions, and whiplash.
As a car accident victim, you’ll be eligible for compensation, but only if you can prove the other person’s fault. You will be able to do so only if you install a dashcam.
Dashcams are legal in Colorado; thus, you can use the captured footage as evidence. Before you file a suit, hire a car accident lawyer in Colorado Springs. These skilled individuals will retrieve the accident footage and help prove that the accident didn’t take place due to your fault. Instead, the other driver was at fault. You’ll, thus, be able to recover fair compensation for the damages suffered.
To wrap things up, road trips are fun, but they become more enjoyable if your car doesn’t break down. You can minimize the risk of unexpected breakdowns by preparing your vehicle for the long haul. These tips will help you do that, so follow them. Rest assured that your next road trip will not just be an adventure, but also a safe and stress-free experience.
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