Road trips and domestic exploration have been a hallmark of 2020, and that trend is sure to continue even after the pandemic ends.

Are you eager to check out a nearby national park or beach? Will you be driving to visit your family this holiday season, instead of flying? Either way, you’re probably wondering, “Is my car ready for a road trip?”

Whether you’re planning to drive a few hundred miles or a few thousand, you need to know how to prepare your car for a road trip. Here’s your go-to guide to make sure your car is ready.

Check Your Fluid Levels

Nothing will ruin your road trip faster than your car overheating because it’s low on oil. Even something as “minor” as not having windshield fluid can spell disaster if you hit bad weather.

Here’s a complete list of fluids you need to check:

• Oil
• Transmission fluid
• Brake fluid
•  Radiator fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield fluid

Ensure that each fluid level is topped up and clean. If it’s been a while since you flushed or changed any of these fluids, you might want to do that before you leave.

Check Your Tires

Tires are paramount to your safety and fuel efficiency, so this is the next area to focus on.

Check for wear and tear to each tire. Is the tread worn? How’s the air pressure?

If you haven’t rotated your tiles in a while, schedule a quick visit to the nearest shop. If you’ve driven more than 25,000 miles on this current set of tires, you might want to consider replacements before your road trip.

Do a General Maintenance Check

Here are some things you’ll want to check as you prepare a car for a road trip:

• Engine
• Brakes
• Heating
• AC
• Lights
• Wiper blades
• Battery
• Brake pads
• Air filters
• Hoses & belts

Bonus tip: Inspect your vehicle several days (or even a few weeks) before your departure date. That way, if you need to replace a belt or order Ford Mustang parts, you can make the needed repairs before you head out.

Stock up on Essential Road Trip Supplies

Anything can happen on the open road, so you’ll want to be prepared for any emergency. Be sure to include the following items in your road trip packing list:

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food items
• Flashlights
• Jumper cables
• Road flares
• First aid kit
• Blankets & pillows
• Extra jacket/coat
• Spare tire
• Chargers
• Paper map or road atlas

Of course, don’t forget the goal is to have fun too. Now that you’ve done everything you “have” to do, take a moment to pack some fun items too!

Create a playlist of your favorite road trip songs. Buy a few packs of your favorite candy, chips, or other snacks. A few games (whether digital or physical) will help those long miles pass more quickly.

How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip: Now You Know

Getting a car ready for a road trip is easy, once you know what to do.

Check your fluids and tires and perform a general maintenance inspection. If everything checks out, be sure to stock up on emergency supplies as well as fun items for your journey.

Now that you know how to prepare your car for a road trip, what’s next? Keep browsing our site for more informative reads like this one!