How to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us and of course for many Utahns, the open road is calling. But, before you answer that call, there are some must-dos that can help keep your car from breaking and your family safe.

Alan Boyer owns and operates Clark’s Auto and Tire in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Wells neighborhood. He told us one of the biggest mistakes drivers often make before hitting the road is they fail to check their spare tire.

“It’s a little bit heartbreaking where it gets overlooked,” said Boyer. “When you’re on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, that’s not the best time to find out that your spare is flat.”

So, first make sure that you have a spare and all the tools – jack, jack handle, chock and a lug wrench – that you need to actually change the tire. You also need to make sure your spare is properly inflated

Speaking of tires, the old standby pressure of 32 PSI just doesn’t cut it anymore for many vehicles.

“We haven’t see that in years,” explained Boyer. “And, every car is different, even within the same model ranges. They change depending on load and things like that.”

So, be sure your tires are inflated to the specs spelled out either in the manual or on the sticker posted on the door jamb.

Check all fluid levels: Coolant, brake, oil and even the wiper fluid.

“That’s probably the most overlooked,” said Boyer. “And, you get halfway to St. George and you’re in a storm or something. So, washer fluid is a top (priority) and it’s also a safety thing.”

If your car is due for an oil change in about 500 miles, Boyer recommended getting it done now.

Many drivers are already aware of the air filter that rests inside their car’s engine compartment needs to be changed regularly. But, Boyer, also suggested drivers have their car’s cabin air filter looked over. It’s usually located behind the glove box or up in the dash somewhere.

“If you’re getting low flow through your air vents, you might have a clogged cabin filter which will affect you’re A/C operation, other cooling operations and things like that,” Boyer elaborated.

Also, check the battery for corrosion and have it tested by a mechanic or parts store.

“We find a lot of bad batteries, especially coming off a winter,” said Boyer. “They’ve had a lot of load put on them.”

Be sure your car has jumper cables, and Boyer also recommended bringing at least a couple gallons of water that not only could help if there’s a coolant leak, but you could also use to hydrate yourself if there is a breakdown.

If the dash is flashing a warning light, have it checked out. Boyer said some lights are benign, but most signal serious issues that could leave you stranded.

Boyer also stressed the importance of keeping your car up-to-date on its maintenance schedule. A snapped timing belt will certainly wreck your road trip, and it can possibly damage your car’s engine as well.

Joining a roadside rescue service can save a lot of hassle in case of a breakdown.

And keys easily get lost, so be sure to take a second set.

“If you’re in the middle of nowhere, it can be expensive and time consuming,” explained Boyer. “And, we have had vehicles get towed in from far away and it was simply a key issue.”

Having your car towed because of lost keys will put a damper on any road trip.