How to Prepare Your Car for a Family Road Trip

Planning a summer road trip can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. That said, there are some things that you need to do before hitting the open highway. The thing to remember is that once you hit the road, any number of things could go wrong with your car. To prevent the worst from happening, follow these four tips. They’ll help you get your car into shape for the road and help you to prepare for any scenario you might encounter along the way.

Battery Check

Your car’s battery is what starts it up. Truly, you can’t start your road trip without this important component. Before your trip commences, be sure to check the battery. Are its cables secure? Has it been a while since you had your battery replaced? If you’re not sure if it’s in tiptop shape, then have it checked out.

Brakes and Fluids

Your car can’t run safely without solid brakes or essential fluids like oil, coolant and steering fluids. Given that a road trip can be hard on a car, your trip prep should include an oil change. Many times, depending on where you go to get the oil change done, you can also get the other fluids topped off, too.

Tires Inspection

A flat on the wrong stretch of the road will derail your family road trip pretty quickly. In light of that, one of your must-do steps to prep your car for your trip is to get your car’s tires checked. Make sure that they have enough air and that the tread isn’t worn away. If you do see a problem, then take your car to the tire shop immediately for a tire repair. And just in case, be sure to have a spare tire on hand during your trip.

Emergency Kit

Your car should always have a basic emergency kit in it, which includes non-perishable foods for your family and your pets, drinking water, a first-aid kit, flares, and other basic necessities. You may also want to put a few blankets, a raincoat, and some towels in there as well. If you’re not sure what to pack, then check out this free checklist to get some ideas.

Zuska, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your car before you hit the road is the best way to have a safe and fun summer road trip. While there are a number of steps you can take to prepare your car for the road, some of the most important ones include making sure the battery is working properly and getting any fluids topped off. You also want to get the brakes checked and tires fixed or replaced if needed. Finally, don’t forget to pack an emergency kit. Having it along ensures that you’ll be as comfortable as possible while you wait for help to arrive.

Author Bio

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.

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