Road Trip Checklist: 3 Ways to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip

Don’t sacrifice your safety for adventure this summer. Here are three ways to get your car ready for a road trip.

Road trips are making a comeback, folks. While the pandemic has severely hit the hospitality and tourism industries, Americans are ready to take adventure into their own hands.

According to Travel Agent Central, 72% of people are opting to take domestic road trips for their post-lockdown getaway this summer. That’s 72% of people who will be dusting off their travel bags and hitting the highway for weekend getaways or even cross-country trips.

But, there’s nothing worse than finally getting back out into the world only to have car troubles ruin your trip. By spending just a few moments checking on your car and getting tune ups before you go can help ensure you don’t hit any roadblocks that could have been prevented.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Check your tire tread.

The tread depth of your tires is what gives your car enough traction to grip the road. Without the proper depth, you will not only find that it is harder to have control of steering, but you will also lose tire air much quicker.

A popular way to evaluate the tread depth of your tires is to use The Penny Test.

To do this, place your penny into a tread groove upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it is likely time for new tires. Your local mechanic or tire retailer should be able to help with an inspection, if needed.

Taking steps to help ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you head off on a road trip may help you avoid spending your vacation with a mechanic instead of on a beach. Remember, if you're uncomfortable inspecting your vehicle or aren't sure if something is wrong, consult a professional for help.

2. Check your brake pads and antilocking brake systems (ABS).

According to Bridgestone, squealing noises coming from your car's brakes may indicate worn brake pads.

Additionally, in more used cars, you may notice that the brake pedal of your vehicle works but requires a lot more pressure on your part. This could also be an indication that your ABS control module needs to be replaced.

To protect you and your passengers, be sure to have your brakes professionally inspected before you hit the road.

Replacing axles, brakes, or ABS can quickly become expensive. Although it can seem easy to say that your car is in “good enough” condition, you don’t want to risk it on a longer road trip. Ready to Start Auto Parts offers reliable and quality used parts at the most competitive prices so you can make sure you get to that post-pandemic getaway safely.

You can give our team a call at (888) 787-5603 to learn more about replacing any auto parts for a price that you can afford. No one should have to risk their safety to save some money.

3. Check all your car’s fluids.

Your car has many fluids to keep it running smoothly, including engine oil, transmission fluids, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. If any of these are running low, it’s a good idea to top them off before getting on the road.

In fact, most professionals will tell you that if your car is even close to needing its next oil change, it may be worth getting it done prior to a long drive. Not taking preventative measures like this could cause major damage to other parts of your vehicle and ultimately result in a heftier mechanic bill.

Time to Hit the Road

Once you’ve checked these three things – or better yet, had your whole car inspected – the only thing left for you to do is create your road trip playlist and hit the road!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past year, it’s that there’s no better time than the NOW to have adventure. Here at Ready to Start Auto Parts, we want to make sure you’re able to enjoy it without a worry.

From axles and ABS to suspension parts and transmissions, Ready to Start Auto Parts is here to help you save money and keep you safe on the road. That’s why we offer reliable and quality used auto parts online at a competitive price.

Need a part? Find exactly what you need by filling out our form with the details of your vehicle, and we’ll get you back on the road in no time.