We were stuck at home for a long time. It’s almost as if we are aching for the feeling of a nice, long road trip in the country. For most of us, life has been centered at our house, and we didn’t have the pleasure to drive a lot. Your car might need a brief check-up before you get out there. Follow these steps to get ready for your big break and be sure to ride safely to new destinations.
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Check the health of your battery
The battery of your vehicle could have suffered from sitting idle for too long. Even if you were used to small car trips down the shops, it is sometimes not enough to warm up the vehicle. You should consider a battery check from your local mechanic. He will be able to tell if you are good to go. There is also a selection of battery checkers that you can buy for $200. Overall, be attentive to weird noises that your car could make. It is a common sign of a battery running low.
Check the levels of your car
Before going on new adventures, checking the levels of your car is a must if you do not want nasty surprises. It is quite simple to check your oil level, but ask a mechanic who can do it for free if you are unsure about doing it. Staying in the garage for too long will increase the chances of the vehicle fluids getting dry. The same goes for radiator coolant, which is a must in the summertime weather.
Go for a short trip (but not too short)
Here is the thing. You might have driven your car for a very short distance lately, and it is pretty bad to drive for only five minutes at a time. Just as the human body, your car needs to warm up to deliver its full potential. Drive for your vehicle for at least twenty minutes once in a while. Listen to any suspicious noises, and if there are no issues detected, you can consider yourself ready for a more extended trip.
Check your headlights and brake lights
It is not hard to check if your lights are working. It will save you a lot of nasty surprises for your next trip. Make sure that your brake lights work in the back too.
Check your tires
We might finish this list with an essential thing for your car safety. The pressure of your tire should be optimal to go on long trips through the country and might need to change depending on where you’re heading. More often than not, tires deflate when they are not used for a long time. You can check your tire at your local petrol station. You should ask for help if you cannot do it on your own.
