What to check in your vehicle before leaving on a trip

Check that the refrigeration circuit tank is level, containing enough antifreeze liquid, looking at the level that the same tank has.

If you need to fill it, make sure the motor is cold to avoid steam burns when opening it.

If the level is too low, check that there are no leaks in the circuit.

Check the amount and condition of your vehicle's oil. The level must be between the minimum and the maximum, marked on the dipstick, and it must be checked with the engine of your vehicle cold.

To ensure good lubrication of your engine, thus avoiding serious breakdowns, change the oil and filter within the periods recommended in the maintenance plan, established by the manufacturer brand, which you will find in the owner's manual. vehicle.

Good engine lubrication prevents excessive wear, extending the life of all its components subjected to friction.

In our blog you will find articles related to the lubrication circuit:

• Types of motor oil

• Types of oil filters and when to replace them in your car or truck

Check that all the lights on your vehicle are working properly and replace them if any are burned out.

Before leaving the route, check that the load of luggage in your vehicle has not raised its nose, causing your lights to dazzle other vehicles. Regulate this by means of the switch that you will find in your vehicle, which acts on the inclination of the headlights.

Very important also to avoid visibility problems, in case you find rain or dirt falling on your vehicle on your route.

Check that you have windshield washer fluid in the tank enabled for it in your vehicle.

You should also check the condition of the brush rubbers. Wiper blades in poor condition will not clean your windshield correctly, greatly limiting your visibility, and can even scratch it, if they are in very poor condition.

Check the brake fluid level and the condition of the pads and discs.

Very worn pads will reduce the braking capacity of your vehicle and can damage the discs, making the repair more expensive.

Check that all the tires on your vehicle are at the correct pressure. You will find somewhere in your vehicle, usually on the driver's door frame, a table with the optimal pressures for your tires.

You should also check the state in which they are. Check the wear suffered by the tires through the witnesses that the current tires have, indicating a depth of 3 millimeters. You can also check it with a euro coin: if putting the coin in one of the tire grooves does not partially cover the central silver part, your tires should be changed.

Also visually check the condition of the tires looking for areas with excessive wear due to braking, cuts or objects stuck in them, to avoid punctures and blowouts on the road.

Also make sure to check that the spare tire is in optimal condition, in case you need it, and that you have the necessary tools in the vehicle to change it.

Check that the battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion. You will easily recognize corrosion. It is a white powder that derives from the corrosion of aluminum, the material with which the terminals are made.

The cables that connect the battery with the vehicle must not be damaged and the appearance of the battery must be good, without leaks or damage to its casing.

If you have difficulty starting, you should check that the battery and alternator are working properly. If this is correct, the problem will surely come from the vehicle's injection system, which may be somewhat clogged.

In our online store you will find liquids for cleaning the injectors, which can help solve the problem before it causes expensive repairs.

If you notice excessive sway when cornering, or your shock absorbers make noise as they compress and decompress, you should have them checked by a mechanic.

These are a very important part of the safety of your vehicle and, if they are in poor condition, they can be the cause of loss of control of the vehicle.

Security and maintenance items:

We have already discussed the importance of checking the condition of the spare tire before leaving the route. You should also check that you have reflective vests, a kit of spare bulbs and fuses (complete) and the necessary tools to replace a tire.

Don't forget the triangles either. Although from July 1, 2021, after the reform of the General Directorate of Traffic, you can replace the triangles with the new V16 emergency beacon, which you will find in our online store.

We already talked about this new emergency signaling device in THIS ARTICLE on our blog.

Also make sure that you have the correct vehicle documentation in case it is required at any time on your route.

That's it. Your vehicle is ready to make the great trip you've been waiting for. We hope these tips have been useful to you.

We wish you good trips and a very good vacation!