How to Prepare Car for Road Trip

How To Prepare a Car for a Road Trip

Hitting the road for a road trip is an exciting time. After all, it’s one of those quintessentially American things that dominates the summer months as people take time off of work and head out into this great country of ours to recharge with Mother Nature. While many will opt for an RV or a decked out van, there’s nothing quite like driving across the country in your MINI.

But if you haven’t prepared your car for a road trip, you could end up on the wrong side of a car-related issue when you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away from home. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to get that MINI ready for an upcoming road trip. Here’s how to know if your car can make a long trip, as well as how to prepare a car for that impending road trip.

Tires

As the only connection between your MINI and the road, your tires and the pressure within is a huge component of needed car maintenance before a road trip. To start, inspect all four of your tires — including the spare in the trunk — for cuts, nicks, bulges and other damage or wear. You’ll be putting a lot of miles on those tires during that road trip, and if there are any pending issues you’ll need to get them resolved before you depart. Even if your tires look great, don’t forget to check the tread and tire pressure. Follow instructions on the inside of the door jamb (not the tire sidewall) for the right pressure settings for your vehicle.

Brakes

After ensuring that your tires are up to it, the next step in preparing your car for a road trip is to turn your attention to the brakes. Any grinding, squealing or shuddering while braking could be signs of a problem, so be sure to bring your MINI in if you’re noticing any of these tell-tale issues. Better yet, a brake inspection will check for leaks as well as the condition of your pads and rotors. If any work is needed, it’s better to get it out of the way prior to your trip instead of during it after some kind of failure.

Battery

No car checklist before a road trip would be complete without checking that essential battery. Without it, you won’t be going anywhere, and if a problem with your battery presents itself during your road trip you could end up stranded or worse. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to check your MINI’s battery itself, but bringing your vehicle in for a quick checkup and service will help root out any pending problems before they become larger issues.

Fluids

In addition to your engine’s oil, there are lots of other fluids that need periodic attention such as coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. These fluids help each of your car’s systems run without issue, and that means you’ll have to look at your fluids to determine if your car is ready for a road trip. If you’re topping off fluids yourself, pay special attention to the type of fluid needed, as well as the use of fluids that meet the specifications outlined in your MINI’s manual. When in doubt, bring your car in for service so that a professional can take a look.

Wiper Blades

If there’s one thing that’s a given on most road trips, it’s that you’ll encounter weather. And if you’re still using old wiper blades that have seen better days, it’s best to replace them now than to deal with substandard wipers when you’re on the road. Another way to prepare your car for a road trip is to replenish the windshield cleaner along with those new wiper blades. Windshield cleaner will allow you to clean off that gunky windshield in between those bouts of weather, and that can give you more visibility out on the road.

Belts and Hoses

While you may spend all your time in your car’s interior, there are lots of smaller belts and hoses that can go wrong in your MINI’s engine compartment. Belts and hoses help run things like the water pump, alternator and air conditioning, and inspecting them before you leave is a great way to prepare your car for that upcoming road trip. They’re typically cheap to replace if you catch them early, but they can also leave you stranded if you neglect to address a pending issue. You can certainly check for cracks, glazing and fraying yourself, but it’s best to consult with a certified MINI mechanic so that they can remedy the issue at the source.

Climate Control

It’s likely something you take for granted, but your MINI’s climate control is a complicated system that both cools and heats your vehicle’s cabin. If it’s not working properly, you could end up being uncomfortable on that extended road trip — whether it’s from the heat or from the cold. To check if your MINI’s climate control is up to the task, one way to prepare a car for a road trip is to run the heat or air on full blast for a drive around the neighborhood. If you experience a decrease in heating or cooling capacity, bring your vehicle in for a checkup.

One of the best ways to prepare a car for a road trip is to bring it in for a quick inspection and service. The MINI experts at Otto’s MINI can get your vehicle ready for an upcoming trip so that you can focus on planning your trip, not worrying about if your vehicle will make it. Schedule service today!