A Quick Mechanical Inspection Checklist to Help Get Your Vehicle Road-Trip Ready!

Summer is coming, slowly but surely, and with more people vaccinated and coronavirus infection rates on the decline, it’s looking like more Americans might actually be able to squeeze in a road trip to a far-flung destination this summer!

Here at Landers Chevrolet of Norman, we’re all about helping our customers find their bliss out on the beautiful highways and byways of America. A big trip is a lot to plan, however, and there are always something you’ll remember you forgot when you get there. That’s especially true of your vehicle! Seen below, check out our road trip checklist to help get your vehicle ready for a long-haul trip. And if your old vehicle just isn’t road-trip ready anymore — or just isn’t floating your boat — stop in today at Landers Chevrolet of Norman and check out our full selection of Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs, any of which is a beautiful way to see the U.S.A.

You’re going to have to rely on your vehicle far from home, where any mechanical mishap can really put a damper on the fun. Given that, if your vehicle is more than a few years old, open your hood while the engine is cool and use a flashlight to really give things a once over:

• Check the oil, and if you’re approaching the manufacturer’s recommended oil-change interval, change your oil or take it in to be changed, making sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended weight. You might also spring for a high-end oil filter this oil change, and your vehicle’s engine is going to be put to the test with long-distance driving.

• Inspect the hoses and belts, giving the hoses a squeeze to make sure they’re still pliable. Look for any water-leaks or drips. If your belts show any cracking or fraying, that’s a breakdown waiting to happen. Have them changed.

• If you feel comfortable doing so, open your vehicle’s air filter box and inspect the filter. There’s videos on Youtube showing how to do this for every model, or most oil-change places will do it for you. If you’re going to be driving hundreds of miles at highway speed, your engine has to breathe! If the filter looks at all dusty or clogged, replace it.

• With the engine cool, check your vehicle’s radiator coolant reservoir. It’s usually a small plastic jug at the front of the engine bay, and has a line that shows where it is supposed to be filled to when the engine and radiator are cool. There are Youtube videos to show you how to locate the coolant reservoir for every model. If it is low, top it off only with pre-mixed coolant that is recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Never mix radiator coolant types. Many oil change places will also check your coolant level.
• Also take this opportunity to check your vehicle’s windshield-washer fluid, which is usually located under the hood. If it is low, top it off only with automotive windshield wiper fluid, which can be purchased cheap at auto parts stores.

Next, you’ll want to shut your hood, making sure to let it drop when it’s still open a few inches to make sure it is securely latched! You don’t want the hood blowing up on the road!

From there, other things to inspect:

• Your windshield wipers. Lift them off the windshield, and run your finger down them. Are they rough to the touch, are they cracked or split, or do they feel hard and brittle? Do they streak when you turn them on with water on the windshield? If so, you’ll probably need to get them replaced. And if you own an SUV, don’t forget the rear window wiper!

• Check your tires, including your spare. Using a digital tire gauge, check the pressure in each tire, making sure it is close to the recommended pressure, which can often be found in your owner’s manual or stamped into the sidewall of your tires. Check your tread depth using the penny trick: put an Abraham Lincoln U.S. penny into the treads with Abe’s head pointing down. If you can see his whole forehead, your tires may need to be replaced. Run your hand over the tread in sample spots. Do the tires feel evenly worn, or are they more worn at the edges than in the middle? If so, that may indicate a suspension or adjustment problem.

• Check your brake lights and turn signals. With someone sitting inside the vehicle, stand behind it and have them step on the brakes, use the turn signals, and the emergency flashers. Are they all in working order and shining bright? Go to the front of the vehicle and have them do the same. Do the headlights work and shine bright? How about the highbeams, the parking lights and the front signal lights?

While this is far from the thorough inspection we give every vehicle during service here to Landers Chevrolet of Norman, following this list should give your vehicle a pretty good once-over, and give you quite a bit of peace of mind on your next trip. And if you want the ultimate peace of mind only driving a reliable new Chevy can bring, stop in today for a test drive, or check out our selection of 2021 Chevy models at our website right now.