You’ve booked your trip, packed your bags, and are ready to hit the road for your long-awaited trip. But did you inspect your car properly before getting on the interstate? Drive with peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in great condition and won’t run into major mechanical issues far from home by completing a full inspection first.

Ensuring your vehicle can handle the distance is essential, whether your destination is two hours away or you’re planning a cross-country trip with your family. Make sure your car is road-trip ready with these tips.

Remember To Check Your Tires

Before you sit in your driver’s seat, you must ensure all four tires, including the spare, are in good condition. Look for sidewall bulges, cuts, tears, or stuck objects. You should also perform the coin test to check your tire tread. Be sure to assess your tire pressure and inflate it as needed. You can check your owner’s manual for the appropriate pressure for your vehicle.

Change Your Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid

While we hope for perfect conditions, the weather can be unpredictable. Your car’s windshield wiper blades should be in good shape to help increase your visibility on the road. Over time, rubber wiper blades will deteriorate.

It’s time to replace your wipers if they leave streaks, fail to clear the windshield or make unpleasant noises. Also, remember to refill your washer reservoir with fluid to help remove debris and insects.

Check All of Your Car Lights

Ensure all your lights are working properly, including your fog and brake lights, headlight, and taillight. You can change them yourself or visit your local mechanic to have them do it for you if any of your lights are out. However, there’s nothing a car wash can’t do if your lights are dull or cloudy. Cleaning your vehicle can greatly affect how bright your taillights and headlights shine.

See a Mechanic for a Deeper Look

After doing your inspection, you should head to a mechanic to get a deeper look at your vehicle. Ask them to check under the hood and vehicle before heading on the road if any of your dash lights are on. For example, the longer your check engine light stays on in your dashboard, the more expensive and riskier the trouble becomes. You should also request that they check your radiator, heater, hoses, belts, and brakes.

Ensure your car is road-trip ready with these tips above for a hassle-free vacation. You should also ensure your auto insurance information is up to date before heading on the road. Traveling by car can present some risks, especially when traveling to popular destinations. Saferoad Insurance offers cheap car insurance in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Contact us today to connect with one of our helpful agents.