Is Your Car Holiday Travel Ready?
The holiday season is almost upon us again, and many people are making plans to visit their loved ones over the next couple of months. If you’re planning to travel via car, it’s important to make sure your car is just as ready for the trip as you are. Nobody likes to find themselves stranded on the side of the road—especially in the winter—so make sure that you follow these tips and bring your car in for Land Rover Houston service.
Pack Emergency Essentials
While you’re making your list of things to pack for your trip, be sure to include some emergency roadside essentials on your packing list. A basic vehicle emergency kit should include the following:
- First aid kit
- 2 roadside flares
- 1 quart of oil
- Extra fuses
- Flashlight
- Multipurpose tool/Swiss army knife
- Boots and gloves (in case you have to change a tire in the snow)
- Spare blanket (multiple, if you’re traveling with others)
You can often purchase prebuilt emergency kits that contain these items and more. While you certainly hope you’ll never need them, kits like these can be literal lifesavers.
Check Your Tires
You should always give your tires a thorough inspection before going on any road trip. Make sure they’re properly inflated and the treads are in good shape. It’s also a good idea to have them rotated and balanced before you head out for the holidays.
Additionally, make sure you’re checking your spare tire before you go. Ensure it’s in good shape, along with your jack and tire iron. The only thing worse than getting a flat tire on your trip would be getting a flat, then realizing your spare is flat too.
Check Your Fluids
Your car relies on many different kinds of fluids to run properly and efficiently. While some of these fluids are replaced regularly, others rarely need to be topped off. Still, it’s important to check all of them before you head out on a long trip. Be sure to check all of these fluid levels:
- Oil
- Transmission fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Engine coolant
- Washer fluid
If you’re getting close to the recommended mileage for an oil change or transmission flush, get these things done before you go.
Check Your Windshield Wipers
When traveling a long distance, the chances are good that you’ll run into some inclement weather. Make sure your windshield wipers are equipped to handle it. If you’ve already begun to notice streaking when you use your wipers, replace the blades before your drive.
Schedule a Pre-Road Trip Inspection
All of the items we’ve mentioned so far are things you can check yourself. However, there are far more things than those listed above that should be checked prior to a road trip. That’s why we strongly recommend scheduling a pre-road trip inspection for your vehicle. We’ll carefully check your car over to ensure it’s in peak driving condition before you set out on your holiday travels.
Schedule an appointment or bring your car by Bemer Motor Cars today. We’re the best Land Rover mechanic in Houston and are specially trained in keeping luxury cars like yours in ideal shape.