Travel is generally more popular over the holidays, but everyone seems extra ready to leave their regular routines this year. Many passengers intend to hit the road because several flights are expected to be canceled.
However, many people are also unaware of the connection between proper auto maintenance and the accessibility of the open road.
Preventative maintenance, or routine inspections every 5,000 miles, is part of proper car maintenance. Even though everything is going well with your car, there could be problems under the hood.
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Check The Battery
Have no fear of peeking inside! Your car’s battery is often a rectangular box, so once you’ve opened the hood, find it. A white, greenish, or blueish substance could be present if the battery’s terminals have corroded.
It has the potential to seriously lower spirits on a road trip and damages your battery due to corrosion. Disconnect the battery before applying a paste of baking soda and water to remove any corrosion.
The baking soda mixture effectively removes corrosion, but you may use an old toothbrush to remove any lingering residue.
Gently wipe it down once the solution has bubbled for a few minutes. A holiday road trip is an ideal opportunity to perform auto repair to ensure it can charge and keep its charge because extreme temperature swings can cause more battery issues.
2. Pump The Brakes
It takes several steps to do brake inspection on your truck correctly. Checks must be performed inside and outside the cab, crouched over the wheels, or underneath the trailer.
Its braking system is the hardest working and most frequently worn-out part of any car. It is hardly surprising that 6 of the top 20 violations found during roadside checks involve brakes.
Brake chamber airlines must be stable and flexible. Ensure your brakes have been correctly adjusted by doing an in-cab inspection and checking the brake adjustment with the slack adjuster. Additionally, make sure the airlines are clean and not leaking.
3. Seatbelts
Make sure your seatbelt is in good working order because we all know how important they are for saving lives. Keep an eye out for frayed edges and inspect your seatbelt for wear.
If the buckle of your belt snaps, it will be useless. It’s also good to ensure the mechanism retracts and returns your seatbelt smoothly. This could indicate that the seat belt needs to be replaced if the movement is not smooth.
Giving your seatbelt a quick tug will allow you to confirm that it locks and releases appropriately. Finally, remember to buckle up when you’re driving!
4. Emergency Kit
You must always keep an emergency kit that includes a fire extinguisher, warning hazard triangles, and extra fuses and circuit breakers. However, having these items in your truck does not guarantee you will pass an inspection.
Does anyone else drive the truck? Some people will have different considerations than you. Ensure that the reflective strips on any previously used hazard triangles are clean so they can perform as intended.
5. Don’t Forget the Paperwork
Last but not least, double-check that you have the relevant papers and documents. You already have a lot of paperwork to deal with with all your shipping documents.
We’re all for cutting down on paper in the truck, but be sure your license plates, permits, and ownership papers for your trailer are all current and legitimate.