Summer is coming up and it's about to be road trip season! There are few experiences to parallel a long road trip - especially for me. The trip is nearly as much fun as what I planned to do at my destination. However, before any road trip, it's best to check a few items on the car before heading off - checking and catching small problems up front before you're under way can save you a lot of headache later on.
- Brakes - Make sure you have clean brake fluid, clean and corrosion free brake lines, ample brake pad thickness, and good condition rotors. Check for gouging on the rotor surface, and check the calipers for leaks. Does the car pull to a side during heavy braking? Does the brake pedal pulse or vibrate?
- Tires - Ample treadwear is an important factor, but closer examination of the tire can also tell you more about how the suspension is setup. Examine the tread for even wear across the width of the tire (which can indicate a camber problem), and look at the edges of the tread to look for signs of feathering (which an indicate an alignment problem).
- Fluids - This includes brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, engine oil, ATF or transmission fluid, and diff fluids. If there are any leaks make sure they are addressed adequately before starting your trip. Be sure not only to check fluid levels, but the hoses that move the fluid around as well. Are the heater hoses and radiator hoses in good condition? Are the ATF heat exchanger hoses in good condition?
- Suspension - Are the struts in good working order? Do the control arms, linkages, and ball joints have usable bushings and joints?
- Engine and Transmission - Are there any leaks or issues that are unaddressed? When was the last maintenance interval for major items such as spark plugs, belts, and engine oil? Are the CV joints in good condition? When was the last time you checked and changed the air filter?
- Contingencies - In the event that a failure puts a hold on your trip, are your contingencies in order? Check the condition of the spare tire, the emergency jack, and the emergency tool kit. If you have roadside assistance such as AAA, make sure you have your paperwork with you.
Have you ever have a roadtrip breakdown?
About the Author: Andrew Peng
Andrew is an aerospace engineer and car fanatic that enjoys working on his garage of Volvos and Subarus. When he's not busy attending car meets and shows or taking things apart, he enjoys driving his cars and finding interesting new ways to break them. He can be reached via his personal website at http://andrewpeng.net, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, or Twitter.
