Get Your Car Road Trip Ready

Summer is on its way; and with summer’s long weekends and vacation time, a lot of us in Northwestern Ontario opt to take-in the beauty of our region with trips to various lakes or even out to the coast. Taking a road trip is a great way to explore, but it can put a lot of stress on your vehicle – it pays to prepare as much as possible! Due to the fact a used vehicle will have some previous mileage on it, it’s important to ensure everything is operating to its highest standard to get you from Point A to Point B safely and efficiently.

Here are some measures to take before road trip:

Oil Change

Check your oil level and have it changed if necessary. A good rule to follow is to get an oil change roughly every 6,000 kilometres. Depending on how far you’re travelling, make sure to keep tabs on your kms to know when it’s time to check your oil.

Spare Tire

You’re driving down a deserted road, the sun is going down and suddenly *POP* – you’ve got a flat tire. Not fun, especially if you have to rely on the kindness of others (or a tow truck) to get you out of that situation! Make sure you have a spare tire and a jack on hand, along with your multi-purpose utility tool, to handle a tire change and get back on the road.

Emergency Kit

It’s important to be prepared in case something goes wrong, especially if you’re driving overnight. Keep an emergency kit with a blanket, flashlight(s), water, non-perishable food items, first aid items, jumper cables, and a multi-purpose utility tool.

Tire Pressure

Low tire pressure wastes gas, and high tire pressure, combined with hot temperatures and fast speeds, can lead to a blowout. It’s a delicate balance! Stick to the manufacturer’s pressure recommendation, usually found on the driver’s side door, rather than the maximum pressure embossed on the side of the tire.

BONUS: Make sure the pressure in your spare tire is good as well.

Can you think of any other ways to prepare your vehicle for a road trip?

Check out roadtrippers.com for trip inspiration as well as popular routes, itineraries, and places in Canada and the US!