How To Prepare For A Car Adventure Without Breaking Budget

Car adventures and road trips are a great way to explore new areas without destroying your bank account. When you are planning to embark on a car adventure, you want to be sure your car is ready to go. Your car should be clean, stocked, and up to date on all maintenance issues. Otherwise, you could run into some seriously expensive problems while out on the road. The following tips will help you prepare your car for an adventure without breaking your budget.

Check All Of Your Vehicle’s Fluids

Your car has fluids that it absolutely needs to run and survive. Before you head out on a car adventure, be sure to check that your car has all of it’s essential fluids. If it does not, be sure to change that before heading out. It may seem like a tedious task now, but it will potentially save you a ton of time and money in the future. Some of the important fluids to check for include;

• Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is essential for keeping up your car’s performance. It will keep your transmission running smoothly. For the most part, you only need to change your transmission fluid once every two years, or every 30,000 miles. If your transmission makes any unusual grinding or squeaking noises, or if it becomes more difficult for you to shift gears, it may be time to check and change your transmission fluid.

• Gasoline

You want to check your gas levels before you head out! This is especially true if you may be driving in remote areas with little to no gas stations. If you find yourself out of gas on the road, you may have to pay for more expensive gas simply because there’s only one or two stations around. If there are no gas stations around, you don’t want to risk getting stranded.

• Engine Oil

Low engine oil can suggest a leak, which will cause expensive engine problems if ignored. You definitely don’t want your engine going out on you when you’re out on an adventure, which is why it is so imperative to check. When you check your oil, pay attention to how dirty it looks. If it appears dirty, it is time to change your oil. Dirty oil will gunk up moving parts. The engine will seize the oil if the oil doesn’t lubricate properly.

Check Your Tires

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your car. If you want your tires to last you on the road, you want to make sure you have adequate pressure and tread. You also want to ensure that your tires are properly cleaned and tear-free.

Your car’s tire pressure should be set to the figures printed in your owner’s manual. Keep in mind that the number listed on the side of your tire is how much pressure your car is capable of withstanding, not the recommended amount. Overinflating could cause a blowout, which is why it is important to stick to the recommended amount.

You want your tires to be clean too. Good wheel cleaner is inexpensive and will save you plenty of money in the long run. Keep in mind, you want to use the right wheel cleaner for your wheels. The wrong wheel cleaner could have a damaging pH balance.

Your tires should be free of any tears or bumps. This is a sign that your tires life is ending. Should you find one, you want to replace your tires before heading out. Before you head out on the road, even if your tires seem okay, be sure to make sure you have a spare.

One useful tip from Rims And Tires blog:  To check your tire’s tread without a gauge, hold a quarter upside down in the tread. If you are able to see the top of George Washington’s head, you need new tires. Otherwise, you might not have enough traction to drive safely in all weather conditions.

Check Your Brakes

Your brakes absolutely have to be in tip top shape if you want to travel safely. They are essentially your last line of defense, and the consequences could be devastating if they fail on you. When you are already out on your adventure, the last thing you want to your brakes to go bad. This inconvenience is a pain to deal with, which is why preventative care should be done beforehand.

You might not hear your brakes squealing or making any unusual noises yet, but things could still go wrong. If your brake pedal feels any softer than usual, it could be a sign of deterioration. It is more cost effective to have them checked by a professional beforehand than to have to replace them somewhere out on the road.

Check Your Car’s Battery

Your car battery should be strong and in good shape. When your battery is still in good shape, it will charge more the more you drive. However, if it is near the end of it’s life, it will begin to have more difficulty starting. If your battery stops running out of nowhere, you could be stranded for hours.

Before you head out on your adventure, have the same mechanic that checks your brakes check your battery. There could be problems that haven’t made themselves apparent yet. To prepare yourself for the possibility of a dead battery, you should make sure to have jumper cables in your car before you head out on your adventure. Make sure you know how to use jumper cables beforehand as well.

When you are out on the road with your car, you want your car to be ready. Don’t let problems such as low engine oil and dead batteries hinder your adventures. If these problems arise while you are already out on the road, it can become very expensive very fast. The best way to ensure your safety out on the road is to ensure your car’s maintenance is up to date. Being prepared for the worst will keep your road trip going smoothly.

Pic Credit: pixabay

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