There is a lot to think about when you are planning a cross-country trip. One of the most important things to consider is preparing your car! A long trip can be a serious test for your car. You don’t want to have any issues like out of balance wheels that could cause you a lot of problems.
Before you leave schedule an appointment with your dealer or mechanic. Ask them to check everything out including an oil change, tire rotation and a mechanical inspection. Do this a few days before your trip so that in case there are any problems they can be fixed before you leave.
Check all the fluids. The last thing you want is to be out on the road, with your windows covered with dead bug splats and the windshield fluid is empty!
Make sure your lights are all working and the windshield wipers are cleaning the windshield properly. If you are going to be driving during the winter it is a good idea to have an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid with you.
Do you have a basic emergency kit for your car? A basic kit can include jumper cables, a tire gauge, flashlight, and a basic tool kit. Don’t forget your personal kit with a first aid kit and items like a blanket and some energy bars and a few bottles of water.
With smart phones you may no longer need a GPS Navigation system. Some cars even have one built into their system. It’s nice to have some sort of navigation system that can direct you to the nearest gas station, coffee shop or other points of interest.
Once your car is all serviced and ready you will be prepared for your journey. Remember to drive safely and enjoy the journey!
I still think our biggest adventure of our long trip will be driving back to Vermont in January! Of course there is always the option of taking the southern route!
Nancy on the Home Front 