The holiday season is just around the corner and the only thing that makes celebrating with friends and family even more fun is a road trip! The excitement and thrill is so intense that it keeps us awake the night before the trip. We all benefit from a good driving experience. But again, we were all part of this fun story, where we either ran out of fuel or got an apartment and had no spare. With that in mind, we bring you a checklist to avoid these encounters when embarking on your Diwali road trip! From a metaphorical point of view, to make your trip as fun and enjoyable as possible, it should start a little before the actual date. Here we are going to show you a step by step procedure with which you can easily check your vehicle.

Pay attention to the dashboard lights

As soon as you start your car, your dashboard comes to life. Now take a moment and look at the instrument cluster. Look for unusual symbols. Our dashboard is filled with little signs that show us the condition of the engine, the condition of the battery, the temperature of the engine, etc. If you see any of these signs, have the car checked at your local service center.

Check if there are any unusual sounds

Listen to your car as you drive. Many times we miss the very important sounds the car makes. So turn down the radio and listen to any unusual sounds you might hear. With older cars there is bound to be some noise, but watch out for any lingering clicking or squealing from the suspension, steering or transmission. If all is well, go to step three.

Check for leaks

The best way to check for leaks is to let your car sit in one spot for a while, then step away from that spot and check for any wet areas. If you use the air conditioning in your car, there will be water drops. Confusion can be avoided by parking your car at any location for at least 4-6 hours. This will cause the water to evaporate, but if there is an oil leak, it will leave a mark on the floor.

Check fluids

In this step, we will check the engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and washer fluid. It may seem difficult but won’t take more than 10 minutes of your time. Brake fluid and steering fluid storage units are usually located in the upper left corner of the engine compartment. The reservoir will indicate the brake fluid on the cover and will have markings for the max and min values. The fluid is colored and therefore visible from the outside of the reservoir. The fluid level between max and halfway towards min is good. The process of checking the coolant is very similar, locate the reservoir (with pink or green fluid). Again, anything between the max and halfway to the min is fine. For engine oil, you will see a yellow or red tab sticking out. Pull on the tab and a long metal strip will be attached to it, with markings at the bottom (one max and one min). Wipe the end with a rag and fully insert the dipstick, then pull it out, and remember the rule of thumb, anything between the maximum and halfway to the minimum is good for a long trip . Now put the gauge back on and with that we have completed the most difficult step.

Checking rims and tires

Alloy wheels usually don’t warp, but in the case of steel wheels, check for any warping of the rims or any irregularities in their shape, if so, it could cause the tire to deflate. Next, check your tire tread and make sure there are no dents on it. A very common mistake is not to check the same for the spare tire. Check your spare tire and the presence of a jack and a wrench to change a flat.

Check if all electronics are in order

Check if all lights, indicators, wipers, infotainment system, air conditioning are in order. Even a single short in the wiring harness can cause you a lot of trouble.

Clean your car

Keeping your car clean may seem like an insignificant exercise, but it has a big impact on your driving. Keeping glasses and mirrors clean helps you have clear vision.

Start with a full tank

Probably the easiest thing so far. Having a full tank of gas is always beneficial, not only because it minimizes the chances of getting stuck on the road without gas, but it also saves you time by reducing the number of stops you have to make on the road. .

Get the right tire pressure

Maintaining the optimum tire pressure for road trips is of the utmost importance to avoid a puncture. Manufacturers typically provide a chart near the driver’s side sill to inform the owner of the optimum pressure for each wheel.

Self-care!

It may seem like your car is ready for the trip, but what about you? Here are some tips to get you ready for the trip.

• Always get a good night’s sleep the night before
• Take your favorite playlists with you
• Bring food and enough water
• Save the cushions for extra lumbar support