Every year from mid-March to mid-April millions of Americans take Spring Break road trips. Whether it’s a carload of college students en route to Panama City, or a family “truckster” loaded for Disneyworld, it’s always a busy time on our nation’s roads. But if you’re one of the drivers who’s participating in this annual rite-of-passage, the last thing you need is a broken-down vehicle stranded on the shoulder due to mechanical trouble. To help ensure that your Spring Break vacation is a more relaxing one, use these car-prepping tips from the pros.
You’ll probably have a cooler full of thirst-quenching beverages on board, so don’t forget to refresh your vehicle’s fluid levels too. Use this handy fluid checklist to keep your car hydrated:
On longer trips, your engine’s radiator fluid gets put to the test. Check your coolant level before leaving, and the radiator hoses for signs of leaks. It’s also recommended to have the cooling system flushed and filled every 50,000 miles.
Oil is your engine’s lifeblood, so make sure that your oil and filter get replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If your vehicle leaks a little oil, check its level with the dipstick and top it off before hitting the road. And, don’t forget to put an extra quart in your car.
You’ll no doubt be encountering all kinds of weather during your journey, so make sure to top off your windshield washer fluid reservoir. If your wiper blades are leaving streaks on the glass, it’s time to buy a new set.
It’s also a good idea to inspect the fluid levels for your brakes, power steering and transmission.
Your car’s tires are important for safety, comfort and fuel efficiency, so don’t neglect yours. Here are some tire-care tips from the experts:
Most tires last 30,000 to 50,000 miles if properly maintained, so have a tire specialist inspect your “rubber” for signs of uneven wear, bulging or punctures. The “penny test” is a good way to check the tread depth yourself. Tires lacking adequate tread to properly grip the pavement can cause handling and hydroplaning issues.
Over or underinflated tires promote uneven tread wear and steering problems, so check your air pressure every time you fill up your gas tank. If you’re traveling from a cold area to a hot one, for every 10 degrees of temperature variation your tires’ pressure will fluctuate up or down by 1 PSI.
For optimal tread life, your tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. If you are long overdue, get a tire rotation before hitting the road.
Your vehicle has numerous parts and systems that all must work together so you can reach your Spring Break destination without incident. To keep your ride in good working order, have a reliable mechanic check out these components well ahead of your departure date:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there’s always the possibility you could get stranded for a few hours on your trip. AAA recommends that all drivers keep an emergency roadside travel kit in their vehicles with these items:
Even if your ride is road-ready, you can still be involved in a Spring Break road trip collision. When you’ve been involved in a fender-bender, promptly locate a nearby auto body or glass repair shop through the nationwide Carwise referral network. Once you do, I-CAR and ASE-certified collision-repair experts will promptly get started restoring your vehicle like-new again using the latest equipment, services and techniques.
Search your zip code now for a customer-reviewed auto body or glass repair shop nearby: www.carwise.com.
