How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Roadtrips

For many of us, when the weather takes a turn for the better, the urge to hit the open road is strong. Whether you’re getting ready for a memorable summer vacation or you’re traveling for the holidays, taking on car maintenance before a road trip is key. While you should always be concerned with routine car care, seasonal car maintenance is critical. This is especially true if you plan to take on a long road trip. Our service team here at Midway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has put together a checklist of seasonal car care tips to help ensure your travels through Grand Island and beyond are secure. 

Seasonal Car Maintenance Checklist

The best part of prepping your vehicle for a road trip is the fact that you can handle many of the tasks in your own Hastings driveway. If you do notice anything concerning along the way, you can book a service appointment with us at your convenience. To help you handle car maintenance before a road trip, we’ve put together this checklist below:

1. Check Your Tires

Inspect all four of your tires and the spare if you have one. Look for signs of damage, unusual wear, or bulges. You’ll also want to check your tire pressure after your vehicle has cooled. You can generally find the inflation information in your doorjamb. Make sure your tires are properly inflated before hitting the road.

2. Test Your Brakes

Take a quick spin in your vehicle. Do you notice any squealing or vibrations when you brake? If so, visit our service center for an inspection. 

3. Secure Your Battery

Check out your battery to make sure your cable connections are clean and tight. You’ll also want to ensure that your hold-down hardware is secure. If you’re nervous about your battery, have one of our service technicians test it. 

4. Top Off Fluids

Ensure that your oil, coolant and brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are at the correct levels. Read through your service manual to find the proper volume when adding fluids. 

5. Replace Wiper Blades and Fluids

Since rubber wiper blades naturally deteriorate, getting a fresh set for your next road trip is a smart idea. You never know what types of weather conditions you may encounter. Windshield wiper fluid is also key as debris can build up on long drives. 

6. Check Belts and Hoses

Inspect your belts and hoses for any cracks or sections that are frayed. While these belts don’t always show obvious signs of wear, it’s a good idea to have them swapped every 60,000 miles or so. 

7. Test Your AC

Nothing’s worse than being stuck in a hot vehicle on a summer road trip. Ride around a bit and see if your AC feels weak or ineffective. If so, you may need a recharge or other service before your journey.

8. Replenish Emergency Kit

Being prepared for any emergency is a wise way to hit the road. Make sure you pack an emergency road kit or replenish yours if you already have one in your vehicle. Things like a flashlight, first-aid supplies, drinking water, snacks, car battery jumper cables, emergency flares, a rain poncho, a basic tool kit, duct tape, gloves, and shop rags or paper towels can be life-savers in an emergency. 

Visit us in Kearney for Complete Car Care

Now that you know how to handle car maintenance before a road trip, you can take on seasonal car maintenance like a professional. Whether you’re tuning up your ride in your Lexington garage or you need to visit us in Kearney for service, you can rely on our team to offer guidance along the way. What’s more, our service coupons will ensure that you save big on your visit. If you have any questions or concerns about your automotive maintenance, contact us for support.