Road Trip Ready:  Preparing Your Pre-Owned Car for Long Journeys

Who doesn’t love a road trip? Poring over maps to choose a route, thinking of the places you’re going to see, and simply enjoying epic landscapes unfolding in front of you – all of those are part of the enduring allure of road trips across the United States.

And while many of us have our own ideas of what makes road trips extra special, we can all agree that car trouble can quickly ruin even the best-planned trip. If you’re setting off from the Abilene, TX area in a pre-owned car, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is ready for the adventure you’re planning. Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure what that entails. Read on for a road trip car maintenance checklist and consider booking your vehicle in for a quick check-up at Arrow Point Auto Mall to ensure everything is road trip ready.
 

The Essential Road Trip Car Maintenance Checklist

Destinations and trip durations may vary, but the essentials you need to check before setting off remain the same. Pre-trip checks are even more important for pre-owned vehicles.  As cars get older, regular maintenance becomes more important to spot potential issues early and avoid them turning into big problems.

If your pre-owned vehicle was bought from Arrow Point Auto Mall, you already know that you’re covered by Arrow For Life, our lifetime engine guarantee. But even if you bought your car elsewhere, we’re here to help! Our expert mechanics at Arrow Point Auto Mall are ready to ensure you enjoy your car for years to come.
 

Are You Ready? Here’s Your Road Trip Checklist!

Let’s take a look at the essentials that need to feature on a road trip maintenance checklist. In a nutshell, these are the items you should test:

• Tires: Checking your tire pressure may already be part of your routine, no matter whether you’re setting off on a long journey or not. But when you’re preparing for a road trip, you also want to make sure your tire tread is sufficient on all four tires and the spare. Some manufacturers also recommend aligning, balancing, or rotating your tires. 
   
• Fluids: Your car’s engine needs oil to run smoothly. Your brakes and suspension as well as your cooling system also rely on essential fluids to run well. Before setting off on a road trip, make sure all fluids are topped up to optimum levels. Depending on where you’re headed, you may not always have access to your preferred brand of vehicle fluids, and running out could cause serious damage.
   
• Brakes: It’s hard to exaggerate the importance of your brakes for a safe journey. Being able to stop at short notice not only protects you and your passengers but other road users, too. Checking that your brake pads are still in good condition and that your brakes are working well should be at the top of your road trip car maintenance checklist. 
  
  
• Battery: Is there anything more annoying than trying to start your pre-owned vehicle in the morning only to realize that the battery has gone flat? You may lose an entire day of your well-deserved trip trying to find someone to help you start your car or replace your old battery. Don’t let that happen to you. Ensure you set out with a fully charged, well-maintained battery you can rely on for thousands of miles.
  
  
• Lights: Your vehicle’s lights are critical for your own visibility and communication on the road. Even if you’re not planning on driving at night. You may be heading back from a restaurant after dinner or driving in low light because of adverse weather. Plus, indicators and other warning lights ensure that other road users can anticipate your maneuvers.

 
If this all sounds like too long a list or you’re unsure how to check any of the items on our pre-journey checklist, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team. We’re happy to schedule a pre-trip inspection at our fully-stocked service center at Arrow Point Auto Mall when it suits you. Nothing beats being prepared for a long road trip!
 

Tackling Common Road Trip Car Challenges

It’s true that you may encounter problems on the road despite expert preparations. Some of the most common problems include:

• Overheating
• Flat tires
• Battery failures

However, taking the time to conduct pre-journey checks minimizes the chances of those problems hugely. Here’s what you can do to prevent them.
 

Overheating

Running your pre-owned vehicle for extensive periods of time during long-distance road trips may cause the engine to overheat. In most cases, this is only a temporary issue, but it does mean you have to pull over and wait, interfering with your original schedule. What’s more, except in extreme cases, overheating is preventable. 
 
 Make sure you know how to check and top up your coolant when you’re on the road. It’s easy to do, and our team will be happy to explain and show you exactly what to do. It’s also a good idea to keep some reserve coolant in your vehicle, just in case you need to top up in a remote area. 

Flat Tires

Checking the condition of your tires, especially the tire tread should be a standard item on your regular pre-owned vehicle maintenance checklist. If you’re setting off on a road trip, don’t forget to examine your spare tire. Stored out of sight, it’s easily forgotten. But think about this scenario: tires rarely go flat right outside of a garage. Instead, problems happen in remote areas. Having a well-maintained spare will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip even more.

Battery Failures

Like having a flat tire, dealing with a flat battery tends to hit you out of the blue. Of course, you could carry a spare, but most modern batteries are very reliable if they are well looked after. Let our team help you check your battery’s health to avoid unnecessary and time-consuming battery failures when you’re on the road.
 

Prevention is Key

The most common road trip hiccups are entirely preventable if you follow a comprehensive pre-journey checklist. If you’re too busy planning other aspects of your trip or you need to follow a tight schedule in the run-up to your journey, let us lend you a hand. Our expert team at Arrow Point Auto Mall loves road trips as much as you do, and we’re here to make sure you have a safe journey.
 

Packing the Essentials for a Safe Journey

Do you make a list of clothes and other items you need to pack before you travel far from the Abilene, TX area? Why not do the same to prepare your car? Not only will your checklist help you pack faster, but it will also stop you from forgetting some of the essentials.

What’s on our professional mechanics’ list of essentials for a car journey? We let you in on a secret: the exact list varies depending on their destination. Having said that, three essentials feature every time:

• Emergency kits
• Navigation tools
• First aid kits

Let’s take a closer look at each of these items and how they can help you cope with issues you may encounter on the road.
 

Emergency Kits

Having an emergency kit on board makes it easier to deal with unexpected situations. Here’s an example: assuming you’re heading for the beautiful but remote and extremely hot Death Valley National Park in California. A large supply of water for yourself, your passengers, and your car should be at the top of your list for emergencies.

In case your car breaks down, help may take several hours to arrive. Having enough water not only allows you to stay healthy and hydrated while you’re waiting. It may also be enough to prevent breakdowns due to overheating.
 

Navigation Tools

Remember the days when passengers used to sit next to the driver turning maps upside down to figure out the right direction? Today’s navigation tools are often more sophisticated. Depending on where you’re headed, having a charged cell phone with a navigation app can take you far. If you’re off to more remote areas, consider downloading directions or investing in a GPS navigation system.

Should you bring a map? Hand on heart, some of our team members still prefer looking at a larger map from time to time to see the bigger picture of their road trip. Aside from giving you a better overview, it’s also a great souvenir after the trip! The most important aspect is to choose a reliable navigation tool and to consider investing in a backup if you’re planning to visit particularly remote areas.
 

First Aid Kits

Having a first aid kit in your pre-owned vehicle is an excellent idea, no matter how far you travel. Don’t just think of first aid kits as something you’d use in case of an accident. They’re just as useful for dealing with the small mishaps and minor emergencies of everyday life. Think about cuts, insect stings, and twisted ankles. None of them are major injuries, but all are easier to deal with if you have basic first aid supplies.

Talk to our team to get their recommendations for assembling your pre-owned vehicle’s first aid kit. Here at Arrow Point Auto Mall, we’re always happy to help you select and re-stock your supplies before you hit the road. Just drop by when it suits you!
 

Are you Ready For The Road? Get Expert Help Today!

Whether you’re heading off on your own, with your significant other, a group of friends, or your family road trips are perfect for making life-long memories! And while it’s fun to have some unplanned adventures along the road, don’t let car trouble spoil your experience.

Follow our road trip car maintenance checklist for your pre-owned vehicle and don’t forget to schedule an appointment for essential car maintenance and road trip preparation and advice with the Arrow Point Auto Mall team before you set off. We love to help you get ready for your road trip adventure and hear all about it when you return.

Make your trip both memorable and safe by booking a comprehensive vehicle check at Arrow Point Auto Mall today.