Planning a road trip? Long drives and temperature changes can put heavy strain on a car, especially when it is towing a boat or caravan. Following these routine maintenance steps will keep your car in good condition and able to withstand the challenge of a road trip.
Lubricants
Before you head off, check your vehicle's oil levels or take the car to a mechanic if you are not confident doing it yourself. Regular engine oil and filter changes are important for proper engine operation and longevity, but different driving conditions can also affect the lubricants in your vehicle.
If you are towing a caravan or other heavy payload, your engine and transmission will need to work harder and their oils will degrade faster. Vehicles towing long distances over hilly terrain may need more regular engine, axle, differential and gearbox oil replacement to prevent premature failure. If you are going on a long road trip, speak to your mechanic or call NRMA Motoring Advice for an impartial chat.
Radiator
The only thing standing between you and an overheated engine is the radiator. Always keep coolant topped up, change it regularly, and don’t ignore signs of coolant leaks. Here's what to do if your car overheats. A damaged, malfunctioning, or incorrect radiator cap can contribute to cooling issues, potentially causing a blown head gasket, so make sure the cap is in good working order before taking a long road trip.
Brakes
Your car’s brake pedal should not be spongy underfoot and the brakes should not squeak or grind. These are signs you could need new brake pads or brake fluids, or your rotors could be uneven and warped. If you feel vibrations on the brake pedal when you try to stop, this can indicate warped rotors, which should be attended to by a mechanic.
Wipers and windscreens
When you hit rain, the last thing you want is to turn on the wipers and discover the blades are worn and your view is obscured. Clean them regularly and replace them if they begin to squeak or leave streaks behind.
It is very important to keep your windscreen clean
Make sure all your car's washer jets work and hit the windscreen at its half way point to given an even clean. You can often adjust the angle of the jet using a sewing pin, but call NRMA Motoring Advice if you are in any doubt.
Make sure the washer fluid reservoir is topped up with windscreen washer additive and carry spare additive if you're going on a long road trip.
Lights
Make sure all lights on both the car and any vehicle you are towing work correctly. To do this test, you need to turn on the pulling and towing vehicles' hazards and brake lights at the same time and observe them in action. This means switching on the hazards, while getting someone else to apply the brake lights, while you check they work together.
This simple check will simulate night time driving when all lights are switched on, so you don't pick up a safety issue when already on the road.
Battery
Most batteries in new cars should last three years on average and a cold snap will sort out the good from the bad! At colder temperatures, the battery’s ability to provide sufficient power to start and run a vehicle is diminished. If your battery is starting to go, the first thing you'll probably notice is that the car sounds sluggish when trying to start. This is a major warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. Learn how to maintain your car battery and if you are in any doubt, contact the team at NRMA Batteries and we can help.
Tyres and tyre pressure
There is no frustration quite like getting a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere, only to discover your spare tyre is punctured or deflated. Car tyres should not be older than ten years and trailer or caravan tyres should not be older than seven years.
Before you hit the road, make sure you check the pressure on all tyres, including the spare tyre, and any caravan or trailer tyres while also examining them for wear and tear.
The vehicle manufacturer's tyre pressure recommendation is usually displayed on a plate riveted to the B pillar (the one you’ll see if you open the front doors). This pressure is related to the type and size of tyre and the weight of the vehicle and is called the cold inflation pressure because it is the pressure to use when inflating the tyres when cold.
It is important to adjust your tyre pressure based on the climate. When it is warm, the air pressure is higher and when it is cooler the pressure is lower. So during extremely hot weather, your tyre pressure could increase by around 5psi (pounds per square inch). It is recommended to re-check your tyre pressures when driving on warm surfaces to ensure they are at levels recommended by the manufacturer.
Road safety tips
The NRMA has teamed up with Destination NSW to make sure you can see the best of NSW with an off-road adventure. Check out the video below for our top tips on keeping your car road-trip ready.
