August 12, 2021
5 Tips to Avoid Car Troubles on the Road
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Road trips are fun — until you encounter disheartening car issues along the way. Imagine you’re cruising around the countryside singing along to your favorite summer mixed tape, brimming with excitement as you’re finally taking a much-deserved break … and suddenly, your car comes to a halt.
You try starting it again, and again, and again, but no such luck. Your instinct tells you to check the battery, and so you did. That’s when you realize it’s dead. What a way to start your adventure, huh?
A dead battery is just one of the many car troubles motorists typically run into on a road trip. Problems can arise unexpectedly. The best thing you can do is to take preventive measures before embarking on your journey.
To steer clear of any car problems on the road, be sure to keep these things in mind:
- Prepare for a flat tire.
Flat tires are as inevitable as they are dangerous. Old and new tires alike are at risk of getting a flat if you happen to run on a sharp object. Excessive wear can also be another culprit.
Always see to it that you have a spare tire in your vehicle along with a lug wrench and jack in case you suffer a flat tire. If you haven’t changed a flat tire before, take time to watch some tutorial videos or, better yet, download them on your phone.
Also, inspect your tires carefully and check the pressure to ensure that they’re in good condition before your trip. If it’s been a while since you had them rotated or inflated, take them to the auto shop to get the job done.
- Get a tune-up.
Here’s a good rule of thumb for road trips: Always get your car a tune-up before driving off. Skipping this vital step might cause your car to experience unexpected problems, from loss of power and poor fuel efficiency to rough idling and engine stalling.
When you take your car to the shop for a tune-up, the mechanic will examine your engine, cleaning and repairing any issues that they find. They will also check your car’s essential fluids and top them off if necessary.
Expect certain items, such as filters and spark plugs, to be replaced to keep your car in tiptop shape. While you’re there, consider getting an oil change as well if you’re due for one.
Don’t forget to tell the mechanic any issues you’ve noticed such as noises coming from your brakes or the AC unit blowing hot air. That way, your mechanic could fix them before you embark on your road trip.
- Perform a basic checkup.
After your tune-up, it’s a smart idea to check the basics. Make sure that your turning signals, headlights, and brake lights are working properly. Replace any burnt-out bulbs, if there are.
Top off the coolant and engine oil if they’re already low. Otherwise, your vehicle could overheat while you’re on the road. You might also want to top off your windshield fluid in case your window gets dirty.
- Do your research.
If you’re traveling across states or in an unfamiliar area, it’s important to research the area first to know what you’re in for. For instance, if you’re heading out into the wilderness, be sure to know the type of terrain that’s waiting for you. Rough roads can damage your tires and affect your wheel alignment. If you’re driving on such type of road, you have to drive more slowly than usual.
Another inconvenience to look out for is inclement weather. If your destination is known for its harsh winter weather, you should prepare ahead of time. Load your car with a snow shovel, scraper, emergency blankets, and food if you get stuck.
- Plan for gas stops.
Running out of gas in the middle of nowhere is one of the worst nightmares a driver could experience. As you’re mapping out your route, find places to stop for gas. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling in a remote area with long distances between towns.
Even if you’re in a more populated location, don’t allow your tank to get too low before you refill it. You’ll never know when you’ll be caught in traffic or face other delays that will keep you on the road for an extended period.
Use Your Clunker to Help Transform the Lives of Needy Vets
If you own an old vehicle that’s been putting a big hole in your pocket for its costly repairs to no avail, why don’t you just get rid of it for a worthwhile cause? When you donate it to us here at Veteran Car Donations, you’ll be converting it into a life-changing tool for the struggling veterans in your community. These are our former service members who are living miserable lives because of homelessness, chronic unemployment, service-connected disabilities, and illnesses, including mental health conditions.
We’ll sell your donated vehicle through an auction and use the proceeds to support the vital programs and services being provided by our veteran-focused charity partners to their beneficiaries. These IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations provide deserving veterans and their families with free quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.
It’s so easy to donate a vehicle to us. We’ll take care of most of the work for you. Simply give us a call through our toll-free line at 877-594-5822 and one of our donation specialists will walk you through our donation process.
Donating to Veteran Car Donations will allow you to receive valuable rewards, such as getting entitled to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season and getting our professional pickup and towing service at no cost to you.
More valuable than these material rewards, you’ll get to experience the priceless joy and satisfaction of giving away something that will be used to help uplift the lives of our nation’s heroes — those men and women who fought and risked their lives for us so we can live in freedom and peace.
We’re not choosy on the type and condition of the vehicle you. We accept nearly all vehicle types, including those that are no longer in good condition and won’t even start anymore.
You can donate wherever you are since we operate in all 50 states.
Head over to our FAQs page to find more information about our mission, donation process, and other information about Veteran Car Donations. If you have specific inquiries or concerns, feel free to give us a ring at 877-594-5822 or contact us here.
Give Your Old Beater a New and Worthy Purpose Today!
Photo by Ricardo Esquivel under Pexels License
You can get rid of your old and unwanted car and uplift the lives of the suffering veterans in your local area at the same time. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form to show your support to our heroes now!
Last Updated: March 8th, 2023