DIY Network

Pre-Trip Checklist Trisha Hessinger offers important automotive advice before you hit the road. From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-708

Q: I'm getting ready to take a long trip. I want to give my car a thorough check-up before I leave. Do you have any advice? (See answer below)

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

A (Trisha Hessinger, DIY automotive expert): It's a good idea to conduct a thorough check of your car before a long trip, and to do a little preventative maintenance. It's also a good idea prepare some items to take with you in case of emergencies or problems on the road. Here are a few suggestions.

• What you take with you as an emergency or road-maintenance kit depends to some extent on the time of year you're traveling. If you're taking a winter trip, carrying an extra blanket, an ice scraper and a candle are all good items to take with you. If snowy or icy conditions are a possibility, you may want to carry a bag of cat litter to aid traction if you should get stuck.

• Regardless of the time of year, it's important to have jumper cables (figure A) in your vehicle in case you need help with a battery failure. Flares or orange cones are also a good idea in case of roadside emergencies.

• A first-aid kit is good to have on hand, as well as a basic tool kit. A basic automotive tool kit might include a socket-wrench set, adjustable wrench, replacement fuses and other basic tools.

• Aside from a reliable spare-tire, you may want to carry a tire-inflater kit or a portable air-compressor (figure B) in case of a flat tire. It's also essential that you carry a tire-pressure gauge in your vehicle, and check your tire pressure before leaving on a long trip. This will not only help ensure tire safety, it will aid your car's performance and gas mileage by using the proper inflation.

Here are some important items to check on your vehicle before leaving on a trip:

• Check all lights. Check your headlights (high and low-beam), brakelights, turn signals, parking lamps and (if you have them) fog lights to make sure they are all operational. You may even want to clean your headlights using glass cleaner to improve night visibility on the road (figure C).

• Check wiper blades. Inspect them for cracks or tears, and make sure they're operational. If they're in good shape, it's still a good idea to clean the rubber blade using a little glass cleaner (figure D).

• Check all hoses . Look for any cracks or holes in hoses (figure E), and replace any that are not in good shape.

• Check all belts. Inspect all belts (figure F) to ensure that none are worn, loose or frayed.

• Inspect the battery. If there is corrosion on the terminals, you can clean it away with a toothbrush and a pasty solution of water and baking soda.

• Check all fluids. Check the reservoirs (figure G) to ensure that your coolant and wiper fluids are at the proper levels. Check your oil using the dipstick. Check transmission fluid, power-steering fluid and brake fluid (figure H). You may want to refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for advice on checking all the fluids.

RESOURCES :

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896