Planning a Summer Road Trip – Evaluating 10 Tips That Can Improve Safety During the Road Trip

Once you schedule a summer road trip, you could complete routine maintenance that will substantially increase the safety of your vehicle. You can balance the tires, inspect the battery, change the oil, install durable brake pads and purchase new windshield wipers. Many experts have indicated that drivers should also bring extra supplies, and you could buy a first-aid kit, jumper cables, basic tools and a tire pressure gauge.

Inspecting the Tires and Balancing the Tires

Typically, you should thoroughly evaluate the treads of the tires, and you can utilize an air compressor that will properly inflate the tires. If a tire is underinflated, the insufficient air pressure could reduce traction, decrease the durability of the tire and increase the risk of leaks.

After you inspect the tires, you may also balance the tires, and consequently, the balanced tires can substantially improve handling, increase traction and enhance the performance of the suspension system. While you are driving the vehicle, the balanced tires can also prevent vibrations.

According to many experts, drivers should frequently rotate the tires because each tire rotation can prevent uneven wear. If the tires wear evenly, the tires will have similar treads, and the balanced treads can noticeably increase the grip of each tire.

Evaluating the Brake System and Installing New Brake Pads

Before you schedule a summer road trip, you could inspect the brake lines, the rotors, the calipers and the brake pads. You can also examine the level of brake fluid within the master cylinder, and you may flush the fluid in the brake system. If a brake line is leaking, you could contact a mechanic who can replace the brake line. The experienced mechanic could also inspect the brackets that are attached to the brake lines, and the durable brackets will prevent the brake lines from shifting.

After you examine the brake system, you could install new brake pads that can optimize the performance of the calipers, increase the stopping power of the vehicle and prevent uneven wear. Once you remove the old brake pads, you can utilize a clamp that will suppress the pistons that are situated within the calipers. Subsequently, you could easily place the new brake pads next to the rotors, and you can reattach the calipers. Moreover, the durable components may significantly reduce the risk of car accidents, and the new brake pads can considerably decrease the costs of repairs in the future.

Testing the Battery and the Alternator

While you are inspecting the vehicle, you may thoroughly evaluate the battery, the interconnected wires and the ignition coil. You could also utilize a multimeter that can indicate the level of voltage within the battery, and the multimeter could also examine the continuity of the wires.

Once you evaluate the battery, you should examine the alternator, which will charge the vehicle’s battery. The alternator contains a voltage regulator, multiple diodes, a central bearing and a main rotor. If an alternator malfunctions, the battery will not receive sufficient electricity, and the vehicle could eventually break down.

Fortunately, you could use a simple multimeter that will evaluate the performance of the alternator. Once you start the vehicle, the alternator should generate at least 13.5 volts of electricity, and usually, a new alternator will produce more than 14 volts of electricity.

Before the road trip begins, you could also purchase a jump starter that can provide at least 500 amperes of electricity. The jump starter features two clamps that are compatible with the battery, and if a battery has an insufficient charge, the jump starter could generate extra voltage that can start the vehicle. Additionally, you may choose a jump starter that features an air compressor, a built-in light and a phone charger.

Adding New Coolant and Preventing Leaks

Generally, you should thoroughly evaluate the level of coolant within the reservoir. After you inspect the cooling system, you can add new coolant, and if you identify a leak, an experienced mechanic could replace the damaged component, examine the vehicle’s radiator and inspect each cooling line. The mechanic should also evaluate the fan that is situated near the radiator. While the engine is idling, the fan can circulate air that could effectively cool the engine, and the component also features sensors that can activate the fan.

Ideally, you should inspect the lines that transport the coolant into the radiator. Usually, these lines are made of rubber, and during the summer months, the higher temperatures could gradually weaken the rubber. If you notice any leaks, you could replace the lines, tighten the lines or contact an auto repair shop.

Changing the Oil and Installing a New Oil Filter

Before your road trip begins, you should replace the oil within the engine, and the new oil can improve the performance of the motor, increase fuel efficiency and enhance the durability of the engine. The oil lubricates many components within the engine, yet the new oil could also remove dirt that is situated within the motor. According to several reports, an oil change can substantially reduce the costs of repairs in the future.

Replacing the Fuel Filter

After a fuel filter becomes clogged, the vehicle may occasionally sputter, or the clogged fuel filter could gradually cause wear that might affect the fuel pump. Once you plan a road trip, you could install a new fuel filter, and generally, this component can improve gas mileage, optimize the performance of the engine and reduce emissions.

If a mechanic inspects the vehicle, the expert can examine the fuel tank, the performance of the fuel pump, the efficiency of the fuel injectors and the fuel lines. The specialist could utilize a fuel pressure gauge, which will evaluate the performance of the fuel system. The tool can also indicate the level of fuel within the main fuel rail.

Examining Safety Features That Could Reduce the Risk of Accidents

Many automobiles have safety features that can improve handling, optimize the performance of the vehicle, prevent car accidents and increase the driver’s attentiveness, yet according to multiple reports, less than 59 percent of drivers are aware of these safety features. Once you inspect your vehicle, you could check the automobile’s manual, and you can evaluate safety features, cutting-edge sensors, numerous types of routine maintenance and important recommendations.

Some vehicles feature electronic traction control, extra air bags, blind spot sensors and adaptive cruise control. The automobiles may also have sensors that will consistently monitor the air pressure within each tire, and when the air pressure decreases, the sensors could automatically alert the driver. Moreover, many vehicles contain sensors that can prevent the vehicle from drifting. If the vehicle gradually drifts, the sensors could automatically provide notifications that can improve the driver’s focus. According to detailed reports, these sensors have prevented thousands of car accidents, and during the next decade, the innovative sensors could reduce the risk of collisions by more than 10 percent.

Checking Numerous Recalls and Completing Necessary Repairs

If you would like to evaluate multiple recalls, you could evaluate the manufacturer’s website, and the automaker may provide detailed reports that indicate the cause of the recall, the date of the recall and the necessary repairs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has indicated that at least 8 percent of vehicles have faulty components that could cause car accidents. The organization has also created a  that can help motorists to examine recalls. Once you visit the organization’s website, you could provide a vehicle identification number, and the website can automatically offer a list of recalls.

Bringing Extra Supplies and Additional Food

Once you plan a summer road trip, you should purchase nonperishable food, a portable cooler, a travel blanket, a poncho and a flashlight. You could also bring a portable charger that is compatible with your mobile device, or you can purchase a jump starter that features a USB port, which can charge a smartphone.

Many drivers have purchased kits that contain jumper cables, batteries, screwdrivers, safety vests and heavy-duty tape. Some kits also provide flares, and if drivers are involved in car accidents, the motorists may place numerous flares behind the vehicle. Typically, the flares can help other drivers to see the damaged vehicle. Several reports have suggested that flares could decrease the likelihood of collisions by approximately 15 percent.

Some travelers also bring first-aid kits, and these kits could include bandages, gauze, a whistle, durable gloves and a cold compress. Once you evaluate numerous first-aid kits, you could select a product that contains antibacterial ointment. If a driver experiences a minor abrasion, the motorist can apply the ointment to the abrasion, and the antibacterial ointment could prevent infections, improve the recovery process and moisturize the damaged tissue. Some ointments also contain ingredients that can significantly reduce pain, and the topical ingredients may decrease inflammation, reduce swelling and prevent tenderness.

Generally, each driver should place a tire repair kit in the trunk of the vehicle. The tire repair kit may feature a pressure gauge, durable pliers, a valve stem and an instruction manual. If an object punctures a tire, the pliers could easily remove the object, and you can install a lightweight plug that will prevent the tire from leaking. Some kits also provide a bottle that contains a tire sealant, and once a tire is leaking, you could spray the tire sealant into the valve stem. Usually, the sealant can eliminate a minor leak within 15 minutes.

Evaluating Your Route and the Weather Conditions

Before the summer road trip begins, you should thoroughly reconnoiter the route, and when you utilize Google Maps, you could examine several detours, multiple types of hotels and gas stations. You may also purchase a GPS that could provide step-by-step directions. Typically, the GPS could consistently examine local traffic, evaluate road construction and indicate the locations of many landmarks. When car accidents affect local traffic, the GPS may provide multiple notifications, and subsequently, the driver could choose an alternative route.

After you choose a GPS, you can also purchase a detailed map that will help you to navigate the roads. If the GPS malfunctions, you can evaluate the map, and you could examine the local terrain, alternative routes and numerous cities. Once you review the map, you can also find nearby attractions, and you could visit local parks, historical sites, several restaurants, well-known museums and multiple shopping centers.