How To Prepare Your Car For A Long Road Trip

No matter how well you drive, you are not in a good position to go on a long road trip if your car is not in good condition. Your car may break down or fail you in a dire moment. This can cause an increase in car accidents and potential injuries.

If you’re heading out for a road trip, we want you and your family to stay safe and help keep others that way, too. Here are some tips for preparing your vehicle for a long journey ahead.

Get A Safety Inspection Before A Road Trip

Before taking a long trip, visit a local and trusted car mechanic. The mechanic should check everything on your vehicle that naturally shows wear and tear or that requires regular maintenance, including the:

  • Brakes
  • Windshield wipers
  • Headlights
  • Engine
  • Belts
  • Battery

Mechanics can be booked up sometimes, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time in advance to get this inspection done before your trip.

Keep Up With Regular Maintenance

Your vehicle is something that requires maintenance and attention year-round, not just when you plan to take a road trip. Read the owner manual for the specific model, make, and year of your car. This will tell you how often you keep regular work done, such as oil changes, fluid changes, and regular tune-ups.

The more you keep up with regular maintenance, the less you will have to worry about and pay for during the safety inspection we discussed above.

Be Prepared With Your GPS

You don’t want to be distracted while behind the wheel, especially in an unfamiliar area or on a windy road. Before you even begin your journey, make sure to have all the directions you need ready to go and put into your navigation system. This way, all your attention can go on the road instead of on electronic devices.

We understand that accidents can still happen, even if you take all the precautions you should. If you are injured in a Mississippi car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our car accident attorneys. We will provide you with the legal representation you need to ensure you obtain a full financial recovery.

Contact Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman to schedule your free case review. You can also fill out our online contact form here and our legal team will get back to you as soon as possible.

About the Author
Jefferson D. Gilder is a Partner at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman and was admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars in 1990. Mr. Gilder is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee including Federal Court, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Gilder's areas of practice include personal injury, criminal, medical malpractice, civil rights, and product liability. Mr. Gilder spent his first ten years as an attorney practicing with his father, Robert G. Gilder, at Gilder Law Firm in Southaven, Mississippi before forming Gilder, Howell & Assoc., P.A. with Jamie W. Howell, Jr. in June of 2000. This firm although as another legal entity has now combined their resources and experience with Chatham – Pittman, to form Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman. If you have any questions about this article, you can reach Jefferson through our contact page.