Battery
If the battery in your car is more than a few years old, make sure that the terminals are corrosion-free and the positive and negative leads are tight. If your starter sounds sluggish, it’s either corrosion or a dying battery. Don’t wait to be trapped with a dead battery. If it’s not a sealed, maintenance-free battery, have a gas station test the electrolytes. If it is sealed, they can ensure the output voltage. If there is corrosion – white chalky stuff on the terminals – clean it off with a wire cable-brush available at your local parts store. Secure the leads tightly. If one falls off while you are driving, it can cause a harmful “voltage dump” that can kill the alternator, so make sure the whole thing is tight.
Test the car
Do a quick run up to listen for noises, feel for shakes, and watch for trouble signs in the gauges. Don’t take for granted everything is fine just since you drive your car every day. This is a test, not a travel, so focus on your car. Do you hear grinding or moaning from the wheels? That could be a bad wheel bearing or a worn CV joint. Does the car pull? Check for alignment problems or worn tires. Does it shimmy or squeal under braking? Might be warped rotors or worn pads. Does the brake pedal feel soft? Might mean worn pads or bad fluid. Do the headlights flicker at idle? It’s probably a loose alternator belt, a dying alternator or corroded battery terminals.
At the same time as there are many components on your vehicle that you should check before making a long journey, it’s also essential to confirm that you are ready for the drive. Memorize to take usual breaks and keep hydrated – you’ll be there very soon!
