I remember as a child going on several road trips with my family through the western states. On one particular summer trip, the air conditioning in our car went out. Going without an air conditioner in Denver wasn't too bad; going without one in Phoenix was a different story. We could probably all tell anecdotes about problems that occurred while we were driving on long journeys. Some of these make for a good laugh. But not all car problems can be taken lightly.
In order to prevent accidents and other disasters, it's always a good idea to do some routine checks of your vehicle before leaving on a long trip. The best time to do these checks is in the morning on level ground with the parking brake on. Don't wear loose clothing or jewelry, and keep your hair tied back. Use a clean rag and keep your owner's manual nearby for reference.
Begin by checking the oil. A good way to ascertain if you have any leaks is to look at your driveway. If you do have a leak, get if fixed immediately. If you don't, change your oil using a good quality brand.
Move on to the other fluids, topping them off as needed. This includes the cooling system, transmission, power steering, brake, and washer fluids. Make sure the engine is cold when you check the coolant in the overflow reservoir--the see-through container with lines marking the maximum and minimum levels--so you can get an accurate reading.
Overheating is a major cause of car problems, so if your antifreeze is more than a couple years old, replace it. In addition to refilling the washer fluid, make sure your windshield wipers are working. You may need to replace these if they don't work very well, especially if you'll be traveling in rainy or snowy weather.
Next check your battery and belts and hoses. The indicator on top of the battery will tell you what condition it's in. Clean the terminal, hinges, and latches. You can use baking soda and water to remove any white residue. Inspect the belts and hoses as well. A worn or loose belt can cause engine damage. The same goes for hardened or blistered hoses. Replace the parts as needed.
Finally, check your tires and lights. Examine the air pressure and tread wear of all four of your tires as well as the spare. Again, do this when the tires are cold. Make sure your lights are also working properly. This includes your brake lights.
Whether it's a dysfunctional air conditioner or a tire blowout, most common car problems can be avoided. A little prevention will go a long way to help keep you and your passengers safe.
Author Resource:
Turn to the heating in Denver , cooling and indoor air quality expert at http://www.carriercolorado.com. For more about visit at Lohmiller & Company (http://www.carriercolorado.com/). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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