Ten necessary road trip hacks to observe
Road trips can be fun and adventurous, especially during post-lockdown times and approaching the festive season. Similarly, they can turn into nightmares if we ignore checking our cars keenly before embarking on the journey. Adalla Allan lists a few considerations to undertake before making a that road trip
Check the engine
Many drivers just get in their car and take off without thinking too much about how they can keep their vehicle running for as long as it can.
One of the most important things that you can do as a car owner is to keep your engine in good condition and give it the attention it requires.
Not only is your vehicle’s engine important to giving you a lot of mileage, but also it’s expensive to fix if it develops complex problems.
An engine needs to be looked as regularly as possible, and before you head on to a road trip, you should consider the regular change of the engine oil as scheduled on the service manual.
Ensure that your vehicle’s cooling system is also working properly, then change your air and fuel filter.
Inspect the documents
It is always frustrating for any driver caught in a mix by the police over expired driving documents.
Just like you always comply while boarding a flight by taking your valid passports with you, you should also ensure to check the expiry dates for the car insurance and your driving licence.
Human is to err, but to avoid getting caught in a conundrum with the law enforcers, always ensure that you renew the documents weeks before their expiry date.
You may end up spending more on the road while servicing the bonds and the big fines due to your sins.
Test the lights
Driving in the dark with poor car lighting is one of the biggest miseries a driver would wish to encounter.
Before commencing on a trip, always test if the brake lights, indicators, fog and headlights are functioning well.
Testing your lights before the journey commences will ensure that you don’t compromise on your safety and that of fellow road users due to poor visibility.
Clean her
No matter how elegant a car may be, dirt will always lower its standards and make it appear old and rusty.
Ensure to wash your car before, during and after the trip. Wash the exterior (including tyres and windows) and interior with a sponge and soapy water.
Cleaning your own car will save you the money that would otherwise be spent at the car wash.
It allows you to give extra attention to especially dirty areas of your vehicle. Commercial car washes use abrasive materials that may scratch or damage your car’s paint, so washing your own car by hand will allow you to keep the vehicle and paint job in mint condition.
Do battery checks
A good battery means a good start. When a car stays in the parking garage for a prolonged period of time, obviously the battery gets discharged.
It is the case when the engine is not revved after a long time. The option here is to jump-start the car with another car’s battery to get its battery recharged, or replacing it altogether with a charged one.
Also, the battery terminals might have gathered some rust. Rub them off and make sure to check on acid leaks, cracks and any other likely damage.
Wipers too
The weather might be unpredictable at times; you may start a journey when the weather is clear, but after just a some few kilometres you encounter some heavy downpour.
This is the main reason why you should take keen note on examining the wipers before you begin the journey.
Driving in the rain with faulty wipers can cost you the entire outing. Ensure that the wiper rubbers don’t leave behind some ugly streak marks on the windscreen. Also, confirm if the washer jets are intact and in the right angle.
Taste the brakes
While accelerating, sometimes it is only the brake pedal that stands between your life and death.
Always have sharp ears while listening to your car brakes—they call it tasting. If either there is some squeaking or wobbling sound, then they are faulty.
If you’re experiencing a soft brake pedal, have a service technician look for fluid leaking from the master cylinder or elsewhere in the brake system.
The master cylinder is the unit that creates the power for the car’s brakes. It has a reservoir like the one for your wiper fluid that contains brake fluid.
If the car bounced when stopping, it’s an indicator of faulty brake pads. You should replace them without hesitation.
Have the right gang
It is advisable to take a group of friends with different skills to make the trip even more fun.
In fact, when you embark on a solo road trip, you will most certainly feel the distance getting abnormally longer.
But the case is the opposite when you are in a group, since there would be some division of labour.
Some people are good at navigating; others can’t read a map while others could be good in driving at night.
Some people are good at planning for meals, while others think a big bag of chips and soda counts for a good supper.
Know and understand each technical attribute of your gang member, and what really matters to your travelling companions, and you will divide up tasks in a way that gets things done efficiently and to the satisfaction of all.
Tyres also tire
To get the most out of your car’s tyres, check their pressure before starting on the road trip and visually inspect them for cuts, cracking, pressure and bulges.
Check the tread depth; it is recommended that you shop for replacement tyres before they become too worn out.
It’s always best to buy the tyres in sets of four for the best balance of grip and handling.
Also, buyers can often get good deals when buying a full set. If you need only two new tires, place the new ones in the rear to help you maintain control on wet roads. Likewise, ensure that the spare tire is on check.
Choose your entertainment well
Personally, rhumba music hits me differently when on a long journey or a road trip.
A trip with some relaxing or fun music, according to one’s preference, feels more lively and sensational.
It would be more fun if you either tap into your own collection of music on a a portable drive or streaming tunes via an app.
