How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Road Trip
Three Questions with: Ryan Peterson, CAA Club Group’s manager of automotive services, who shares proactive maintenance and a few tips for getting the best performance on the road.
By Alexis Nicols
Getting your vehicle ready for a road trip is an important part of the planning process, and helps avoid issues during your adventure. | PHOTO: MICENS/ENVATO
A summer road trip is one of those rare times where the journey is the destination. It’s an adventure to set out on the open road with a curated playlist for singing along, wonderful company to spend time with and that long stretch of highway ahead. Whether you’re looking to plan a road trip across your own province or across the country, a little preparation goes a long way — especially when it comes to your vehicle.
To help you get road-trip-ready, we sat down with Ryan Peterson, manager of automotive services at CAA Club Group, to discuss vehicle care and maintenance and what road trippers need to know to help them avoid unnecessary service stops or car issues while enhancing safety and confidence on the drive.
Check
Q1
To help travellers feel prepared and empowered when they hit the road, what are the important “before-you-go” checks a driver can do to ensure their vehicle is road-trip-ready?
Make sure your spare is in good condition and properly inflated so that it’s ready if needed. | PHOTO: MSTANDRET/ENVATO
Peterson: It’s about having your vehicle in good working order. That’s the key. For example, if it’s been longer than six to nine months since your last thorough inspection with a mechanic, get that done first and foremost. Driving through the winter with your windows closed and the heat cranked up can hide a lot of noises. You want thorough inspections — brakes, suspension, lighting, charging system, fluids, etc. CAA offers general vehicle maintenance checks that are perfect for this at CAA Approved Auto Repair Services (AARS™) facilities. If you’ve had that inspection done and you’re mechanically inclined yourself, do a walk-around. Check the tires’ condition (cracks, tread depth, pressure, wear patterns), all fluid levels and lights. And don’t forget the spare tire. Is it fully inflated? If it’s under the vehicle, make sure the lift works as well. Check the A/C on the first warm day to make sure it’s working, too.
Prepare
Q2
Beyond standard safety, preparing for a long road trip often involves thinking about the budget. What steps can drivers take to improve fuel efficiency and ensure a smoother drive across long distances?
When it starts to get hot, try to keep your air conditioning set below the maximum for best fuel efficiency. | PHOTO: ALONESBE/ENVATO
Peterson: Use the fuel octane that the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. Keeping your windows up and using the A/C is best, but make sure it’s not on the maximum setting; even one or two notches lower helps. Lightening the load in your vehicle by emptying unnecessary items from the trunk helps as well.
Maintain
Q3
For those travelling a few thousand kilometres, are road trips safe if drivers monitor vehicle maintenance while on the move?
Your dashboard will give you insight on some of the issues that can arise, so understanding the warning lights is important. | PHOTO: ANDRBK/ADOBE STOCK
Peterson: Keep an eye on the gauges, and when stopping for gas, do a walk-around check of the tires. Following a set maintenance schedule, like the one in the owner's manual, is best. For safety, situational awareness and proactive driving are always your surest bet. CAA
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