Going on Vacation? Here’s How to Get Your Car Ready

Are you ready for your well deserved vacation? I bet you are, but is your car ready to travel? It’s always a good idea to check parts of your car before a long drive or vacation.
Check your car’s battery
Most car batteries should last around three years, but sometimes they can die before that. Have your mechanic check your battery for any corrosion, leaks, or other unusual concerns.
Inspect belts and hoses
Belts and hoses are another important part of your car. Start by looking for cracks, fraying, or any splits on belts. See if your belts look glazed on the sides. If the belt looks glazed, it can slip, overheat or crack. A serpentine belt is one of the most important parts of the car, so be sure to doublecheck it for separation, cracks, or missing pieces.
Check fluids
Before you leave, pop the hood and check all of your fluids. Make sure you check your brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, oil, and power steering fluid. It’s not as important, but you should check your windshield washer fluid as well, especially on a snowy or rainy day.
Check the breaks
Obviously, it’s important to have good brakes on your car. Brake pads should last around 25,000 to 75,000 miles driven. Before you leave for your vacation, have your mechanic double check your brake pad’s life. Also, if you hear any strange noises coming from around your tires, it’s probably a good thing to mention to the mechanic.
Inspect tires and tire pressure
Before you leave, have your mechanic check your tires for leaks or holes in your tires that could cause blowouts. Depending on where you are traveling or what time of year you are traveling, you should check your treads. If your tires are worn down, it makes it harder to stop, especially in snowy weather. This could lead to sliding and accidents. Always check your tires!
Make your lights aren’t burnt out
If you’re planning on driving at night, make sure your headlights and breaklights are working. Doublecheck all of the lights before you leave. Fortunately, you can easily repair most lightbulbs yourself at an affordable price.