With the world going through an acute period of trauma, it is impossible to travel the globe. As such, people are looking at different ways to embark on any potential vacations this summer. While lockdowns may continue for some time and social distancing remains in place for the foreseeable future, many people have begun thinking about what future trips may look like. If international travel and airplanes are out of the question, then what? The answer may lie on your driveway. Your set of wheels may be the thing that gets you from A to B but it can also be the thing that gives you the freedom to explore the area around you. Take a look at how you can get your car fit for a road trip.
Wash It
If your car hasn’t been used for a little while because you’ve been hunkering down a home, make sure that you get it washed at the earliest opportunity. Natural resins and bird excretions can slowly start lifting the paint if you don’t wash it off regularly. Get hold of some car shampoo and a bucket of hot water and get scrubbing. If this seems like too much like hard work, a car detailing firm with the latest steam cleaning gizmos can give your car a real professional shine. You could also have the interior of your motor valeted and regaining that new car scent. Sticky hands, food stains and clutter, can make our cars untidy. This isn’t the sort of vehicle you want to be driving on a road trip. Instead, get it clean and ready for a long journey.
Maintenance
To maintain your car, you need to consider it’s safety. Is it roadworthy? Ensure that you get your car serviced by a professional annually. By doing this, you are giving your car a clean bill of health. For basic maintenance, you need to carry out safety checks yourself, especially before a long road trip. Check your car’s fluid levels by doing the oil dipstick test. Too little oil may mean that your engine seizes up in the middle of nowhere. Ensure your washer fluid is at the optimum level and get a professional to check your brake fluid. Check the tread of your tires and always give your car a run around the block once a week to make sure that the battery doesn’t run flat.
Maintaining your car needn’t be too labor intensive and you don’t need to be a mechanic to do it. Ensure that you head out on the open road with a warning triangle, water and some blankets in the trunk. You never know when you might break down and might need to shelter for the night. You mustn’t run out of fuel so a full five gallon can might be a good asset to have on your road trip.
Stay Safe
Wherever you are going, make sure you abide by the laws of the road. Drive defensively and stick to the speed limit. Always treat every other driver and pedestrian as a potential hazard and stay alert. If you are tired, take a break and remember there is no rush to get anywhere. You are on vacation, so chill out and take your time.
Follow this simple guide and you could find that your vacation is more road trip than luxury air travel this summer.
