We are required to take our cars on long drives quite a few times owing to a variety of reasons which could be related to business, celebrations etc. A long drive can be quite wonderful if your car is running smoothly and you do not have to face any unprecedented circumstances on the road.
No one would like to be stranded in the middle of the road owing to certain vehicle problems that manifest on the way to the destination or back. Therefore, it is important to check your car for signs of a possible breakdown or malfunction before you hop in for the long drive.
Let's take a look at some of these things that you should check before you set out for a long drive.
Check the Car Fluids
Car fluids are vital to maintain the overall health of a car. The fluid levels should be adequate so that the car doesn't break down in the middle down. For example, the coolant regulates the temperature of the engine. Any leakage in the anti-freeze can result in overheating of the engine. This can quickly aggravate into a major problem on the road.
Before you start, you should look for any signs of fluid leakage and check the level of the fluids. Keep in mind to do a quick oil check and get it changed if required. If a change of transmission fluid is due soon, get it done before going for the long drive.
Check the Battery
Before you go out on the long drive, you should check the battery of your car. A visual check will help you identify any cracks, acid leakages, corrosion etc. in the battery of the car. The terminals of your car's battery should always be tightly bound. You should keep the battery clean to avoid any problems. However, it could be difficult to tell when the battery might break down. Therefore, getting it checked by experts is crucial.
Inspect the Tyres
There can hardly be anything worse than a flat tyre in the middle of the road. Therefore, it is important to check the tyres before you leave for the long drive. You should keep in mind that the tyres of a car wear out with time and distance travelled. Therefore, it is vital to check the air pressure of the tyres. Apart from that, you should also conduct a tread check of the tyre before you leave.
In addition to that, you should check the maximum load rating of a tyre. The load you carry in your car should always be less than this value. Even with all the necessary precautions, road conditions may lead to a flat tyre. In that case, you should always carry a spare.
Inspect the Brakes
Are the brakes of your car working properly? The last thing you would want to face when you are out on a long drive is a brake failure while you are travelling along a highway or trying to go up or down a slanting road. Before you head out on the long drive, you should check whether the brakes are in good condition. You can consider getting them checked by a competent mechanic.
Check the Lights
Before leaving the house for the long drive, check whether all the lights of your car are functioning properly. For this, you should switch on all the lights in the car and check whether they are responding appropriately. You can park in front of a white wall at night or a window of a shop to inspect the lights. You should replace each of the fused bulbs as soon as you discover them. In addition to that, you can consider carrying a few spare bulbs along with you.
Change the Air Filter
If it has been a long time since you had changed the air filter of your car, you should get it replaced immediately. A dirty air filter will only result in a lack of power, thus making it difficult for you to have a smooth drive.
You should get the car thoroughly cleaned and washed before leaving for the drive. You can add more appeal to the long drive by investing in a private number plate. You can choose from a variety of options for cheapest private number plates to suit your requirements.