Summer is just around the corner—the perfect time of year for road trips. Going for long drives is a fun way to travel with your family and friends. And, when you’re miles away from home, the last thing you want to deal with is a sudden vehicle breakdown that will have you scrambling for car parts at the most inopportune time. Avert such a disaster with the right preparations.

Why Prepare Your Car?

Keep in mind that your vehicle is the key to your road trip. It has to be in great shape to take on the long drive, so have it serviced at a trusted auto shop before heading out. By fixing minor issues and replacing faulty car parts beforehand, you can avoid troublesome emergency repairs or getting stranded on the road. Preparation also ensures that your car is running at peak efficiency—maximizing gas mileage and lowering fuel costs.

What Should Be on Your Pre-Trip Checklist?

Check Tires

Give your tires a once-over and look for signs of damage or uneven wear. Measure tread depth using the penny test, then check the pressure on all tires — including the spare — for proper inflation.

Top Up Fluids

Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle; when they’re running low, you are asking for trouble. Check the levels of coolant and oil as well as brake, transmission, and wiper fluids; then, top off these liquids as needed.

Look Under the Hood

Have a mechanic or technician pop the hood and inspect the inner components. By doing a visual inspection or using diagnostic equipment, they will know which car parts are failing or look faulty and must be replaced immediately.

Test the Battery & Brakes

Rather than do these on your own, let a professional handle the inspection and testing. Apart from cleaning the terminals from corrosion, they will also secure connections, refill with distilled water, and charge as necessary. Have the brakes checked as well, especially if they feel spongy, vibrate, or pull to one side when applied.

Inspect the Exterior

Lastly, walk around your vehicle and look for signs of damage on the windows, windshields, and doors. Make sure there are no chips or cracks on the windshield, as it can impair your visibility while driving. Check your lights — from the front to the back — and replace dimmed out bulbs to make sure you’re visible to other motorists when driving at night.

Before hitting the road, make sure that your car is ready and road-worthy. When you need to replace car parts, drop by High Point Auto Salvage in Guilford County, NC. They are the trusted supplier of auto parts throughout the Triad Area since 1985. Call (336) 889-9062 to order, or check out their extensive inventory online.