Making Sure Your Car Is Road Trip Ready

Even though summer is over, that doesn’t mean your road trip adventures are over quite yet. Fall brings the beginning of the holiday season, which means you’ll likely be jumping in your Ford in Costa Mesa to spend time with family and friends in other cities. In order to make sure your car is ready for your next adventure, keep this advice in mind.

Check Your Engine Fluids

When you lift the hood of your F150 in Costa Mesa, you’ll see several different components that are crucial to helping your vehicle run smoothly. From your radiator to your engine, all of these parts rely on fluid in order to function. You’ll want to check the following:

• Motor oil
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Radiator fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid
•    Power steering fluid
• Clutch fluid (if you drive a manual vehicle)

You want to make sure that all of your fluids are clean and that they are full. Check your owner’s manual to learn the location of each of these fluids’ respective reservoirs.

Inspect Belts & Hoses

After you’re done checking your fluid levels, you’ll want to inspect all belts and hoses next. Check for any signs of wear, tearing, deterioration or leaks. If you notice any damage, take your car to a mechanic to have them checked and potentially replaced before hitting the road.

Check Your Battery

The last thing you want to deal with while in an unfamiliar city is a dead battery. Have your battery checked with a voltmeter to see how strong it is, and consider having it replaced if the charge is dropping below 12 volts.

Check Your Tires

Your tires are crucial for your safety while on the road. Make sure your tire tread isn’t worn too far down – they should have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread left in order to minimize your risk of slipping while on the road. Measure your air pressure as well to make sure your tires aren’t over or underinflated.

Check Your Air Filters

Your engine air filter is responsible for catching contaminants before they entire your engine, providing you with optimal performance and improved fuel efficiency. If the filter looks torn or dirty, have it replaced before your trip.

Test Lights & Signals

Your turning signal and headlights are important safety features for both you and your fellow drivers on the road. Make sure that all of your lights, including your brake lights, turning signals, emergency flashers, tag lights and headlights, are shining bright and working correctly.

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