Road trips create opportunities to bond and explore, but they require planning. Before a trip, check your tires, battery health, brakes and brake pads, fluid levels, and spare tire and tools. You should also pack an emergency kit. Let’s take a closer look at how these tips benefit you and your vehicle.
Car Maintenance Tips for Long Road Trips from Your Kia Dealer
Even the best-maintained vehicles need a little help before a long-distance trip. Car maintenance enhances vehicle longevity and safety. To stay safe on a long trip, follow these tips.
Check Your Tires
Rotation
Tires should be rotated once every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. During rotation, check for tire bulges or other damage.
Air Pressure
Air pressure impacts tire life and gas mileage. Most tires reach optimum pressure between 30 and 32 PSI. Check air pressure every 1,000 miles.
Tread
Bald tires don’t grip the road, causing safety risks. Some of the factors impacting tire tread wear include:
- Weight balance
- Suspension calibration
- Road and weather conditions
- Driving customs
Tires should be replaced every 25,000 to 50,000 miles.
Battery Health
Check your car battery with a voltmeter or multimeter. A healthy car battery should read between 13.7 and 14.7 volts. If your battery reads below 12, it might be time to have it replaced.
Brakes and Brake Pads
Brakes are essential for slowing and stopping your vehicle. They wear down with use like your tires do. Signs your pads are wearing down include:
- Squealing noise during braking
- Sticking brakes
- Taking longer than usual, or more pressure to brake
Brake pads should be replaced every 25,000 to 70,000 miles.
Emergency Kit
Check your car for emergency gear. Purchase or pack a kit if you don’t have one in the car. The kit should include items such as:
- Jumper cables
- Tow rope
- Emergency blanket
- Water bottle
- Flashlight
- Mobile air pressure tool
You should also pack a first aid kit.
Spare Tire and Tools
Any driver is at risk of a flat tire, even if you check them before the trip. A spare tire, jack, and socket wrench or lug wrench set are essential for changing a flat on the road.
Fluid Levels
Cars aren’t so different from humans. Both need fluids to function at maximum health. Some fluids to check before your road trip include:
- Radiator fluid
- Brake fluid
- Oil
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Windshield fluid
Some fluids you can top up yourself. Others will require a trip to the automotive shop.
Bring your car in for a thorough inspection. A certified mechanic will go over all the steps on this list and more. Call us to book a checkup at DARCARS Kia of Frederick.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.