Do You Know How to Prepare Your Car for Vacation?

If you don’t know how to prepare your car for vacation, don’t fret: we’ve got you covered. This is crucial, since failing to properly prepare can cause failure of your vehicle and result in unexpected bills.

Road Trip Checklist

Breaking down between Naperville and Bolingbrook is one thing. Breaking down between Aurora and Disneyland is a whole new level of annoying. It’s not going to seem like such a small world when you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.

It can happen if you’re driving hundreds of miles each day, so before you depart you should put these items on your road trip checklist:

• Engine Oil
• Transmission and Differential Fluids
• Hoses
• Belts
• Engine Coolant
• Tire Pressure and Tread
• Brake System
• Battery

Making these checks yourself is perfectly doable, but you might want to visit a professional at your local service center if you’re going to be driving cross-country or sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle with plenty of miles on it already.

And before you go, stock up your glovebox right and consider learning how to jump start a car. Ideally you won’t need the extra supplies or a jump, but it’s always best to be prepared, especially when you’re far from home.

Car Storage Checklist

If you’re leaving your car at home instead of using it for the trip, you need to put it in storage instead of just letting it sit. If you don’t, you may return home to a dead battery, low tire pressure, or other inconveniences.

Here’s a basic car storage checklist to address before you leave:

• Cover It: Your garage provides ample protection against the elements — if you don’t have one, look for a public storage facility.
• Clean It: Stains will set and odors will develop, so do a little automotive spring cleaning before setting off.
• Fill It: Topping your car up with gas can prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank.
• Charge It: An unattended battery will eventually lose its charge. If possible, get someone to drive the vehicle periodically, or start it and let it run to allow the battery to recharge. If that’s not possible, disconnect the negative battery cable, or use a battery tender to maintain the charge on your battery.

Enjoy Your Vacation Without Jeopardizing the Life of Your Car

Whether hitting the national parks or visiting family, you need to take care of your car when you’re on vacation. For any further advice or assistance on how to prepare your car for vacation, contact Valley Honda today.