CAR CHECK LIST before you hit the long road

• Change oil and filter

• Begin your trip with a clean car, both inside and out. It will help you find your map when you need it, etc.

• Try not to put luggage over the car. It creates air friction and slows you down – bringing more gas. If it is unavoidable, cover with strong sheet and tie them very well.

• Keep a small garbage bag inside the car.

• Change air filter.

• Check cabin air filter because you don’t want a musty odor coming from your vents.

• Cover headlights and front of the car with a protective sheet to prevent bug clogs or other damage.

• Get an extra set of car belts.

• Change spark plugs.

• Make certain your tire iron and jack are in the car.

• Check your spare tire.

• Pack a fire extinguisher.

• Bring towels for cleaning dirty windshields, spills, etc.

• Get a spare key for the car and keep it in your wallet or elsewhere on your person in case you lock your keys in the car.

• Fix sun protectors for side windows and front windshield.

• Make sure you have your podcast downloaded (You may lose service), music library up to date. Or your favorite CD’s if you’re old fashioned.

• Don’t forget any of those necessary cables; Car charger for your phone, auxiliary cable if applicable, USB cables, camera chargers, Go Pro chargers, drone chargers, etc.

• If you’re taking photographs or videos, don’t forget those tiny, yet vitally important memory cards

• Sunglasses

• Bring a plastic funnel to add water or other fluids. Bring a water bucket in case you need to use a river or lake for emergency coolant.

• Always fill your gas tank when it is half full. Don’t wait too long.

• Make sure your owner’s manual is handy.

In addition, you should make a checklist of items to pack in a car survival kit. These can include:

• A chain or thick towing rope

• Electric charger wire

• Flashlight

• Screw drivers and wrenches of different sizes

• Bungee cords

• Pliers

• Hammer

Before packing up, make one final check of the following:

• Tires condition.

• Check tires tread and look for signs of strain, bulges, or other damage.

• Tire pressure, don’t over inflate.

• Wipers and wiper fluid. When the rain falls, you don’t want to discover your wipers are useless. In addition, bug hits can really mess a windshield, so you’ll need a full fluid reservoir.

• Coolant.

• Flush radiator, if you haven’t done so in a while.

• Fuses and Horn.

• High and low beam headlights.

• Oil, power steering, and brake fluid.

• Loose cables heater and air conditioner, if making a seasonal trip