There’s nothing better than hitting the open road with the windows down and the wind rushing through your hair. The world is your oyster, and you can go anywhere, especially if you have the time and funds. When it comes to driving the United States, then you can see such a wide variety of landscapes in one country, and it’s going to take you some time to get from one side to the other.

When it comes to a road trip, there are a few things you’ll have to do before subjecting your car to thousands of miles. The last thing you want is to break down hundreds of miles from any help, so getting the car prepped and ready is essential, but what are the things you should check?

Check out the Preparation Steps

The Windshield

Let’s start with something relatively simple but hugely important. The windshield of your car is a vital part of your car. Not only does it protect you from rocks skipping up from the ground, a face full of bugs, and enables you to see without wearing windproof goggles. It also helps maintain the structure of your vehicle.

Before setting off, you should check to see if there is any damage that could potentially turn into something disastrous. The professionals from http://www.autoglasscentersusa.com/ suggest that if there are any blemishes, cracks, or chips in the windshield, then it’s best to get it fixed before heading on a long road trip. A crack can turn into something far more serious and even end with the windshield folding into the car in more serious cases. Don’t let a small chip or crack ruin your entire trip, get it sorted first.

Check Your Oil

Oil is a crucial part of your engine and will help lubricate the pistons, crankshaft and the camshaft. These need to be oiled so they can move without too much friction. Car experts recommend changing your oil every 3-5000 miles, but as technology has developed, so have the products, so this might be a little more depending on the car you have, even up to 10000 miles.

Use your dipstick to check the level and the quality of your oil. If it appears to be dirty, black, gritty, or even below the fill line, then you should change it before setting off.

Check Your Tires

Having tires with low pressure can leave you with more problems than you might think. Most people are aware of the dreaded sign saying “next gas station: 100miles,” and as long as you have the right amount of gas in the car, you should be ok, right? Well, having tires that are underinflated will mean you’re going to waste gas and your car won’t perform to it’s the best ability.

Having overinflated tyres will cause them to wear unevenly and will wear them out much faster. It will also make the ride quality worse. Most cars will let you know what the pressure of the tires needs to be, either in the manual or inside the driver’s door. Check the pressure before you leave and make sure it’s at the perfect setting. It’s good practice to check throughout your trip as well, just in case the long drive has caused them to deflate a little.

Check Your Lights

Having a blown light is a sure fire way of getting pulled over by the police, and no one needs that when they’re trying to have fun on a road trip. It’s also dangerous to drive without them, so in order to drive safely, it’s best to check your lights before and during your trip. This is a reasonably cheap fox, and many shops will fit them for you for a minimal price.

Give It A Good Clean

Who wants to spend hours in a car that’s dirty and smelly? Make sure you give your motor a good clean before you head off, especially if you plan on sleeping in the car. It’s much nicer to spend time on the road when everything is smelling clean, and the place is tidy. If you do end up getting pulled over, the police will look at your car like it’s something that you take care of and you’ll be less likely to raise suspicion.

Road trips are great, but you have to go in a car that’s worthy of one. There are plenty of other checks you can do before setting off, and checking your brakes is another important thing to do before setting off. You can find plenty of in-depth, detailed lists that go through everything you need to know before setting off, but these tips are a brilliant starting point. Don’t let your trip be ruined by not checking your car.