How Do I prepare for a long trip?
Have your regular maintenance done
A week or so before you leave, have regular maintenance done, like oil and filter change, or routine
maintenance. Specifically, ask the shop to check the air filter and change it if necessary. Changing the air filter is an inexpensive
way to enhance fuel economy and performance. Also have them check the tyres again. If the pressure has gone down since the last check,
you may have a leak that can be fixed on the spot.
Have your repair shop check the tyre pressure and adjust it if necessary
If the pressure
is too low, it can cause a blowout at high speed. Also have them check the tread on the tyres for excessive wear. (You can also do
this yourself by placing the head of a penny into the tread of the tyre. If you can see all of the queens head, you probably need
new tyres.) Be sure to have your repair shop check to see that the spare tyre is inflated and the appropriate tools are available
to install it if necessary.
Have the auto repair shop check the coolant
Are you going somewhere with a warmer or colder climate? Let
your repair shop know so your mechanic can adjust the mixture of water and antifreeze to ensure the car is protected against temperature
extremes.
Buy a road atlas or GPS
If you don’t have a current road atlas, get one. Hours and hours of expressway can get boring. Getting
off the beaten path can add an entirely new dimension to your trip.
Clean out your car
The day before you leave, thoroughly wash and
vacuum the car. It’s much nicer to have your trip in a clean car.
Make sure your paperwork is in order
Make sure your license, registration
and insurance are all current and accessible.
Fill the gas tank
Might as well get it out of the way now. Besides, gas is often more
expensive on the road.
Look at what you’ve packed
Open your suitcases and take one last look — do you really need all that stuff? Did
you forget anything?
Relax!
Enjoy your trip!