Get Road Trip Ready with VIP!

As the summer temperatures begin to climb, we all want to hit the road and get out of the house and visit our favorite places this summer.  While some plans might have to change and modes of transportation are limited, we can all hop in our cars and head somewhere fun this summer. There are plenty of places to visit in our own backyards that we might not have thought about!

This summer, make sure your vehicle is road trip ready with a checklist of all the important systems you should verify are working correctly before you take an extended trip.  We all want to rely on our vehicles and it only takes five minutes to check over these ten things to make sure that you don’t end up on the side of the road in the middle of the summer with a flat tire or worse!

Get Road Trip Ready with these 10 Tips

1. Tires – Be sure you have adequate tread, tire pressure, and tires don’t show signs of uneven wear or choppiness, which can signify your alignment being out. Has your TPMS light come on? Get your tires checked for leaks before you hit the road, so you don’t end up with a preventable flat tire.
2. Lights – You may need someone to help you with this. With your vehicle running, check your brake lights, high beams, and blinkers to be sure that all your lights are in working order.
3. Fluids – One of the easiest things to check before a long trip. Pop your hood open and check your oil level, windshield wiper fluid, and coolant.
4. Brakes – There are some checks that you’ll need to perform when your vehicle is in motion. Test your car’s brakes safely while in motion and note if it requires extra pressure, or if there are strange smells, vibrations, or your vehicle pulls to the side while braking. In addition to ensuring that your brakes feel right and are performing adequately, you should check your emergency brake as well. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure how to engage and disengage properly.
5. Belts – While you have your hood up, do a visual inspection of the belts you can see. If your belts look frayed, cracked, or make squealing noises when you start your vehicle, consider having them inspected by your mechanic or replacing them before your trip.
6. Check your spare – check the spare tire before you head off on your next long trip. If you haven’t checked it in a while, check its pressure as it’s likely to lose inflation over time. It is also an excellent time to make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle.
7. Check for leaks –  If you notice puddles of fluids on your garage floor or driveway, you might have a leak. You’ll want to have leaks professionally checked before hitting the open road.
8. Wipers – Hopefully, there will be no need to use them during the beautiful weather of summer. But, if you get caught in a freak thunderstorm, you’ll want to make sure that your wipers are working correctly. Wipers that cannot keep up with rain, leave streaks, or can’t clean the windshield properly are safety hazards.
9. Steering – Some tests can only happen while you’re driving your vehicle, such as steering checks. While driving, be sure that your car isn’t pulling in one direction or the other. It can indicate alignment or steering issues. Be aware of any unusual vibrations or concerning noises while you’re doing your road test.
10. Check your battery. Batteries can last about 4-5 years. If it’s been a long time or your vehicle seems sluggish to start, you’ll want to get it checked. This is especially important if you run onboard DVD players to keep your children occupied. They can drain a lot of power from your battery in the heat.

If you want to hit the road, you can always turn to VIP and we’ll be happy to make sure your vehicle is ready for your next adventure. You can also download our checklist here.