Things To Inspect In Your Car Before A Long Journey

Despite advancements in technology, there are things in life which cannot be planned for regardless of our efforts. One such thing is a vehicle breakdown. Even though modern cars are brimming with new technologies, they can break down anytime without warning. Unfortunately, car breakdowns mostly happen when you least want them to, resulting in great hardship.

Suppose you have a family trip planned to escape the hectic city life. All is well until your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road. Not only is it frustrating, but also dangerous. Although we cannot fight fate, we can do some things that reduce the chances of a car breaking down. The following tips will help you avoid being stranded on the road and ruining your perfect trip.

Tires

The first thing that you must do is inspect the tires. The reason is that a flat tire is the most common thing to expect during a long trip. However, if you carry out the necessary inspection beforehand, you can avoid a flat tire. Ensure adequate tread is left and the tires are inflated to the recommended levels. Don’t forget about your spare tire. If you don’t have a spare tire, always have a tire repair kit in the vehicle.

Battery

The second common reason for vehicle breakdown is a dead or malfunctioning battery. Can you recall the last time you checked your car battery? Most of us can’t because we ignore it when it comes to maintenance. Therefore, inspect your car battery and look for any signs of corrosion. Clean the terminals to ensure that the battery is receiving the right current. Secondly, if the battery is three to four years old, consider replacing battery or having it checked thoroughly. The reason is that a car battery requires replacement every three to four years.

Windscreen, Rear Screen, Windows, & Mirrors

Check that all of them are in proper working order. A small crack in the windscreen or rear screen can expand and cause it to break apart. It is the last thing you want when driving along the highway. Also, don't forget to clean these parts for better visibility.

Lights

Clean all the lights before embarking on your trip. Secondly, check that all of them are working. Otherwise, you will face difficulty while driving. Suppose that your headlight is not working. In that case, you will have poor visibility ahead. If your rear lights are not working, others may not realise your vehicle until it is too late.

Wipers

Even the most advanced weather systems cannot accurately forecast the weather. It might start raining even though the weather app showed it would be sunny. Therefore, inspect your windscreen wipers before setting off. It is already challenging to drive in the rain, and faulty or non-working wipers will complicate things further.

Conclusion

These are the 5 things that you must always inspect when setting out on a long journey. But it doesn’t mean that you should ignore others. For example, if any strange sounds or smells are coming from the vehicle, have them checked. You can schedule an appointment with us through our car repair & service page. In case of any queries, contact us.