7 Things to Inspect Before Your Out-of-Town Drive Road trip

Before you hit the open road on your next summer college adventure, it’s important to make sure your car is up for the journey. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road, or worse, in the middle of nowhere. Here are 7 things you should inspect before driving out of town on your road trip.

7 Things to Inspect Before Your Out-of-Town Drive Road trip

Road trip tips & things to check before heading on a long drive

Car insurance

Road trips are a great way to see different parts of the country, but before you hit the open road, it’s important to make sure you’re properly insured. Depending on your policy, if you have auto insurance for college students, your policy may not provide coverage if you’re driving in a different state.

In addition, if you’re planning to rent a car for your trip, be sure to check with your insurance company to see if your policy extends to rental vehicles. If it doesn’t, you may need to purchase additional coverage. By taking a few minutes to review your car insurance policy before you leave, you can help ensure that you’re protected in case of an accident.

Tire maintenance

Before you hit the open road this summer, make sure to give your tires a quick once-over. This may seem like a no-brainer, but properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%. Not to mention, it’s also a lot safer.

Under-inflated tires are more likely to blow out and could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. While you’re at it, take a look at the tread depth. New tires typically have a tread depth of 10/32″, but as they wear down, the depth decreases.

If your tread depth is below 4/32″, it’s time for new tires. You can check your tread depth by inserting a quarter into the groove. If the top of Washington’s head is visible, you’re good to go. If not, it’s time for new tires. So before you hit the highway this summer, remember to check your tires!

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Engine oil

Checking your engine oil is a good habit to get into regardless of whether or not you’re taking a road trip. That being said, it’s even more important to check before a long drive. You don’t want your engine to overheat, so make sure you have enough oil and that it’s clean.

Coolant

In addition to having enough oil, you’ll also want to check your coolant levels before setting out on a road trip. If your car overheats, it could ruin your engine, and no one wants that. Again, it’s also a good idea to check your coolant levels even when you’re not getting ready for a road trip

top off washer fluid.

It’s always annoying to get caught in a rainstorm with dirty windshields. Spare yourself the frustration by ensuring you have plenty of washer fluid before setting out on your journey. It’s also not a bad idea to keep an extra bottle in the trunk, just in case.

Emergency kit

No one likes being stranded on the side of the road, but it can happen to even the most experienced driver. That’s why it’s always a good idea to pack an emergency kit before you head out on a road trip, especially if you are traveling with kids. Your kit should include everything you need to survive for 24 hours, including food, water, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight.

You should also pack a map of the area and a phone charger, just in case you get lost. And don’t forget to pack some snacks for the drive! By being prepared for the worst, you can make sure that your road trip is safe and fun.

Clean everything

A long drive can be tough on your car, both inside and out. Before you go, give everything a good cleaning—vacuum the floors and seats and wash both the exterior and interior windows.

Not only will this help keep everything looking nice during the drive, but it will also make it easier to clean when you get back. Trust us; you don’t want to come home from vacation to a messy car!

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Check fluid levels

In addition to coolant and oil, there are other fluid levels in your car that you’ll want to check before heading out on a road trip: brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. These are all essential for keeping your car running smoothly, so it’s best not to check them before embarking on a long journey

Taking an out-of-town drive can be a great way to see new sights and explore different parts of the country (or world). However, before setting out on any road trip—no matter how short or long—it’s important to take some time to inspect your vehicle first.

By taking care of some simple maintenance tasks beforehand, you can help avoid any potential problems down the road (literally). So spend some time inspecting your tires, checking your fluids, and cleaning things up before heading out—your future self will thank you!

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