Preparing your car for a road trip this summer

A road trip sounds like a good way to get away for the summer. It could be a drive to your favourite hill station or to a holiday home hidden away outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, you plot your routes, book your stay and pack your bags as per your itinerary; but you mustn't forget is that you also need to prepare your car for the trip. While today’s cars are reliable, they still require a thorough check before you depart. Here is how you should prepare on your end:

Headlamps and Tail-lights

It’s best to check that all the lights on your car are in working condition. Driving in the dark with non-functional or improperly-functional lights is a safety hazard, not only to you but to other road-users as well – especially on the highways where your headlamps are the only source of illumination. So it’s best to check your headlamp throw and all other exterior lights well in advance of leaving, just in case you require replacements.

Air conditioning

It’s summer; and depending to where you are headed, a working air conditioner should be one of the top items on your checklist. After all, you don’t want to drive in an oven; and even with the windows down it can only reduce cabin temperature by so much.

Oil and fluid levels

Prior to setting off, it is best to check your car’s oil, coolant and other fluid levels and topping them up if they seem to be a bit low – just as a precaution.

Wipers blades

Wiper blades don’t last forever. Like other components in a car, they have a life-span too and require to be replaced when they don’t work as efficiently any more. Try out the wiper blades with the washers a few days in advance. If they are not cleaning your windscreen properly, they require to be changed. It’s a good idea to get this done, as you never know what sort of weather you may run into and driving in the rain with wipers that can’t clear the windscreen properly is not a good thing.

First-aid kit

It’s best to keep a basic first-aid kit at hand. Most carmakers provide a kit as a free accessory with their cars but it is a good practice to have your own kit set with all essentials such as bandages, disinfectants etc.

Wheels and tyres

Your tyres are undoubtedly one of the most important components of your car. It is best that you have your tyres checked for wear as the more worn your tyre is the less likely it is to find traction. Check your tyres for the depth of the treads as well as any lumps in the side wall. At the sign of either it is best to have your tyres changed. It would be prudent to have the wheel alignment checked if you feel the car pull in one direction. It's also essential that you check the condition of the spare, get familiar with how to change a tyre, and make sure that the car jack and tool kit are stowed away properly in the car. Also make sure the tyres are at optimum pressure – including the spare – before you set off.

Horn

Make sure that your horn is working properly – especially if you are going out on the highway. A horn is your first line of defence on Indian roads, as it will make your presence known to other road-users especially on mountain roads where the use of the dipper can go unnoticed. Make sure that your horn is working properly and that its various wires are properly connected and not loose.

Navigation

Google Maps, Apple maps and built-in satellite navigation are now very common, so at least one of the above is likely to be on you or in your car at any given point of time. True real-time navigation with live traffic updates is a real boon – especially when you are navigating routes you are less familiar with. However, it is a good idea to have a back-up (like a physical map) on hand just in case you lose connectivity – it may be rare nowadays but depending on where you are headed, network loss may be a very real possibility.

In-car entertainment

If you are going to be driving for hours, you will likely want some music as well. Most cars now offer an audio system ranging from simple units with aux and USB connectivity to touchscreen units that can let you access the internet and play movies. If you happen to not have one, or plan to upgrade from the manufacturer-provided unit, there are plenty of options available. Also, if you are connecting a device to the audio system, make sure you have carried the required cables just in-case you are not able to pair your device wirelessly.

Check the undercarriage

It is a good idea to take your car down to a service centre to have the underbody examined. You can do it yourself as well, although the mechanic is likely to do a more thorough job. Have the car inspected for any leaks in the fuel-supply line, oily patches on the sump and leaks in the exhaust. Also, ensure that the sump shield and fuel-tank shield are securely fastened and that there are no other loose bits that could come undone.

Spares

It is a good practice to carry spares for parts – such as the car’s fuses, because electronic components, no matter how new, are liable to blow a fuse at some point or another. It is always a good idea to carry spares for such components and knowing how to change them is an added bonus. Also ensure that all your electronics are working prior to setting off on your trip.