Car prep for trips

So when you guys are gearing up to leave town, how much prep do you do? Does it depend on if the trip will take a few hours versus 6+? Any tips on getting ready for a road trip?

Personally, I always get my oil checked if it's 6+ hours away. Regardless of how far, I also get my tires checked and fully gas up the vehicle. I also thoroughly clean it, even if it's just a short trip. I like to have plenty of space for anything I might bring home and don't want a big mess in the car.

 

Just the usual, i.e., checking all the fluids and tire pressure, making sure the air filter is clean. I figure I probably do more driving around town without checking those things than I would even on a several hour trip, so the basics cover it pretty well.

 

I don't usually go on road trips but when I do I seem to take it serious. I would get my tires checked ensure that I have a good spare one, I carry a tire pumper as well, fill up the tank every so often make sure my oil is ok and take my car to a garage before I go on the trip to make sure nothing is wrong with the car. I wouldn't want to break down in the middle of nowhere. I also bring food and drinks and my cell phone along with some cash and a flashlight.

 

Don't forget to make sure you are prepared for emergencies: over-heating, flat tire, first-aid kit, a couple bottles of water, etc.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

 

Oh yeah how did I forget the first aid kit that's a must have, especially when you're travelling with other persons.

 

Yeah one of the most important things you need is a first aid kit, money, water, flashlight, food, music and spare tires. When you got all of those then you can have a safe road trip and not have to worry so much although some say you can never be too prepared for a road trip.

 

Aside from carrying all of the items that were already mentioned, it's also recommended to carry an extra spare battery along with a car charger, so that when an emergency happens, you won't worry about not being able to communicate.

 

I would always get an oil change and get a check up and make sure everything is working properly but I would always rent a car too. Its not a good idea to use your own car. You should rent a car to avoid way too much damage on your own car. You should make sure that the tires are good, the brakes are good, there is enough coolant and that the engine is running well. You should be ok if everything sounds good when you run it. You should always rent though cause it might cost the same thing if you have to fix your car before or afterward.

 

To answer your question for me; it does depend on how long the trip is. If its under 3, there isn't much I really do thats abnormal. But over 6+ hours, I do more planned and checking and making sure everything is in place.

 

I do some basic, though needed things.

I check:

Oil.
Steering Oil.
Brakes Oil.
Water.
Cleaning glass water.
Tires air pression.(Don't forget the extra!)
The vehicle tools.

 

Before going on road trips my husband always make sure he checks out the ride. He sometimes changes the oil, checks the tune up, lights and tires. We check the radiator and make sure we travel with extra water, tools and spare. It can be a big set back to stop along the way to check on your ride so preparing it for the road is vital.

 

I get the oil changed and then I check all fluids and hoses and make sure their is air in the spear. And then I will turn on the lights and walk all the way around the car and make sure they are working. And then I put together a emergency kit, road flares, water, blanket, food, flashlight, cell phone charger, empty gas can (new). Because you never know whats going to happen. I have been to Florida many times at night and I have went to get gas off the express way and they gas station was closed.

P.S. my biggest pro tip when traveling is never let your car get under a half tank. Because you never know how far you may need to drive to the next fillup.

Greg

 

All of the above. I also make sure to try and route myself through areas of the country where there is no dead cell phone or internet service. I also get the numbers of the the law enforcement agencies in the cities and states I go through.

 

I also just get the car check out, gives me reassurance that its safe and ready to travel long distances. I check the oil, tires. fluids, everything my repair guy thinks might go wrong I get checked out.

 

I just do the standard checking, like checking the oil and tires. I usually bring some back-up things like tires, just in case I run out and there's no gas station anywhere by. I've never really had any problems after a good check. The thing that worries me the most sometimes is the food supply. Sometimes, I forget to bring enough food because I don't think that I'd get hungry from driving a car. But boy was I wrong... I didn't bring enough food once and I really regret it.

 

I tend to keep my car serviced on a regular basis, so it's always in pretty good shape. So whenever I'm making long trips I'm not too worried about my car's health. One major concern for me is my tires. I always make sure that the pressure in my ties is right. I've had bad experience with tires blowing up while me driving. So it's very important for me that the air pressure in my ties is right. One of the necessary thing to make sure you have is enough fuel to make it through the entire journey. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere looking for fuel.