Prepare your car for a long road trip

I hope you know where you’re going…

Road trips, for most people, are a lot of fun. Whether you’re going to a music festival, traveling to see family, or just going for the fun of it, the excitement of the open road, a blaring stereo, and a few friends can be irresistible.

However, what some people fail to do is prepare their vehicle properly for the trip. This can cause you to lose, break, or fall. Here are some key tips to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip.

Navigation

Before you leave home, you should make sure you know where you are going. When she’s going to travel hundreds of miles, she doesn’t want to suddenly find out that she’s been going the wrong way for the past 4 hours. If you can’t get a sat nav, look closely at a map and write down some precise directions or take the map and someone who can read it with you.

emergencies

Although you may be a very good driver, there is no certainty when driving that you will be completely safe. Tell people where and when you’re going, make sure you’re completely sober, and get a first aid kit for the car. Also, if anyone has a medical condition like diabetes, make sure they have their medications before you go.

Mechanics

This is a crucial thing to address before you go. Assuming you have your MOT, your car should be safe from falling apart, but it’s better to check a few things. Check that your oil is full, that you have water in your windshield washers, that your tires are inflated, and that your brakes work properly. If anything strange happens to your car, even any performance auto part you’ve installed, it’s best to have it checked out by a garage, because on the open road you can find yourself miles from anywhere when your car suddenly blacks out.

Entertainment

One last thing to make sure is right with your car before you go on a long trip is your entertainment system. Your stereo must be working as several hours of silence can drive you crazy. Also, if you have a DVD player and screens that you rely on to keep your kids entertained, make sure they work and that you have enough DVDs for the entire trip.