Car Travel Prepping: Great Travels Begins At Preparation |
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Steven Magill
29 December 2012
Before you are going to enjoy anything, you have to lay the foundation that would allow you the conditions and circumstances for that enjoyment. This is especially true with travel. The word is preparation. Whether you are traveling to visit relatives, or to go on a pleasure trip, good preparation is always the key for you to be able to maximize the good experiences you'll be able to enjoy.
Although travel as a lifestyle have now come to be defined by airlines and international destinations, the most common form of travel remains to be by land. Air travel is expensive and complicated when it is international and sea travel consumes too much time which most people don't have the luxury of. Thus land travels remains popular especially among families.
The first and most important thing you need to prepare in land travels is your car. Not your luggage, not your food, not your budget but your car. Of course you have to prepare all of those too but they would be nothing if your car preparation is poor and rushed. By dedicating proper attention to car preparation, you are not only ensuring the success of your travel but also the road safety of your family.
By car preparation does not mean just making your car look good. Implementing bumper repair or painting retouches may be done but it is more important to ensure that your tires are in good condition to run your travel distance. In fact it is wise to always bring along a spare tire whenever you drive and especially during travels. Then next thing you must check is the oil level. Likewise, you must also check the availability of all fluids including brake fluid, transmission fluid, steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid.
You should also check your car cooling system, especially if your travel is long distance. Check for leaks. One indicator of this is when the level is less the "min" mark. Fix leaks before you travel. Malfunctioning coolant can cause the engine to overheat which could be a serious hassle when it happens in the middle of nowhere.
The battery provides power to your vehicle. If you notice leaks and cracks on your battery unit, it would be best to replace them before a planned long trip. Then your battery functions well, then you can check if your wipers, signal lights, and horn receives the power it provides.
Lastly, do not forget your car's pertinent documents - licenses, registrations, insurance, and all. Keep them in a conveniently accessible place perhaps together with relevant maps, and other utility and emergency stuffs.
There are many different ways to reduce the amount of hassle experienced during travel. So more than rushing a car bumper repair in anticipation for a hometown trip, put more focus on ensuring that your vehicle in complete good condition to make the trip.