10 Tips for Long Road Trips
Road trips can be a lot of fun. If you’re embarking on a long road trip across the country, there are plenty of sights and places to visit. If your trusty steed breaks down along the way, your trip could be cut short while you’re far from home.
By carefully planning, packing, and paying attention to your vehicle, you can make it as reliable as possible and give it the best chance of success. Otherwise, you could be stranded for days and your travel plans disrupted.
Tips for Long Road Trips
Before you go on a long road trip, take the time to learn some tips that will help you get through the trip without too many setbacks. Below are the 10 most important car tips for long road trips.
Some of these tips relate to the functionality of your vehicle, while others are just common sense precautions to take in case you get pulled over by the police.
1) Pack survival essentials
Long road trips often take you off the beaten path. Make sure you have everything you need to survive a night or two in case something goes wrong. Consider the environment where you are traveling. How hot or cold will it be? Do you need to bring any special medications? Always carry plenty of water, at least for a few days.
It is a good idea to have a first aid kit on board, along with enough food and water to keep you comfortable for a while. When traveling in cold weather, bring blankets for everyone in the car.
2) Check your charging system
If you’re going on a long road trip, it’s good to know that your car’s battery is fully charged and that your generator is working properly. This will ensure that you don’t have any unexpected electrical issues while on the road.
Also, check the belt for cracks or broken ribs. This belt often powers the generator.
3) Check your tires
Make sure your car’s tires have good tread and proper air pressure. The most common car trouble on long road trips is a flat tire. Therefore, you should check your tires thoroughly before driving. Fill your tires with air if necessary or buy new tires if they are not lasting.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire too. Test your spare tire to make sure the bolt pattern and center hole are correct for your vehicle. Test the spare tire on the front and rear hubs. Some brake calipers are large and may not fit all wheel sizes.
4) Check the oil level and consider an oil change
Long distance road trips put a lot of strain on your engine. You need to make sure there is enough oil to properly lubricate the engine’s internal components.
5) Check the cooling system
A bad cooling system can ruin a perfectly good engine. Make sure you have enough coolant and check that your cooling hoses are not hard and brittle or too soft and spongy. If your coolant is leaking, it’s only a matter of time before your vehicle overheats. Check the radiator cap and the surrounding area for signs of coolant leakage.
6) Get Roadside Assistance
If you break down or run out of gas, it’s not a bad idea to get roadside assistance. This may be included in your car insurance or dealer warranty, or you may be able to purchase it separately from a towing company. Keep the roadside assistance number in your wallet and call this number if you break down.
7) Pack tools and vehicle fluids
You should have enough tools to cover the basic problems you may encounter. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Air compressor to inflate tires
Having a small 12V air compressor in your trunk will allow you to take it to a tire repair shop if you develop a slow leak.
Spare tire, jack, and tire levers
Before you leave, make sure your spare tire is in good condition and inflated. Many donut tires require 60 PSI, which is about twice the pressure of a standard tire.
Change Fluids
Carry spare engine oil, brake fluid, and coolant (especially if your vehicle burns oil). It’s a good idea to check your oil, coolant, and brake fluid every time you stop for gas.
Mechanic’s Tool Set
There are many mechanic’s tool sets to choose from. Be sure to assemble or bring a kit that includes wrenches, needle-nose pliers, flathead screwdriver, adjustable wrench, and locking pliers. Check to see if your vehicle uses metric or SAE fasteners. Make sure the tool kit you purchase contains the correct socket wrench for the job. Commonly used metric socket sizes are 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm.
Diagnostic Scanner
A diagnostic scanner will be able to read any check engine lights that occur. If you are knowledgeable about vehicles, this may help you determine if it is safe to continue driving, or if you should call a tow truck and get help.
Tape
It never hurts to have some duct tape and electrical tape on hand. You may be able to use it to patch a leaking coolant hose or bind two loose components together until you can make a proper repair.
Zip Ties
Sometimes the engine wiring harness can rub against metal components in the engine bay. Over time, this rubbing can cut through the wire’s insulation and cause electrical shorts.
Zip ties will help you secure any loose wiring harnesses or other items as needed. They can also be chained together if you need to wrap around a larger object.
8) Have Cash on Hand
You should always have some cash in case of an emergency. You never know when you’ll have an emergency expense, like food, car repairs, a tow, medical kits, and so on and credit cards are not accepted as payment for whatever reason.
9) Bring a Smartphone and Charger
You probably already take a smartphone with you wherever you go, but make sure you don’t leave it behind. Be sure to bring your charger as well so the phone’s battery doesn’t run out of power at the worst possible time.
10) Know the Local Laws
Crossing a state line or international border? The rules of the road and signs may differ. If you’re travelling internationally, carry your passport.
Know the local laws in each jurisdiction you will be traveling through, at least at a basic level. This will put your mind at ease during any checkpoints, inspections, or traffic stops you may encounter.