Moving is an exciting journey. Even more so, when you go in your car. But, how do you prepare your car for a relocation? JB Moving LA is here to give you some tips. The important thing you need to do is make sure your car is ready for the long haul. So, let’s see what are some basic things you can do.
When can you start to prepare your car for a relocation?
When is the right time to check your car? Well, even before you start calling your residential movers Los Angeles. Even if the car is regularly serviced, it is good to make a short inspection before setting off. Below we bring you the most important things that you can do.
Check the levels of all fluids in your car
One of the most important fluids in your car is engine oil. If necessary, top up the engine oil up to the maximum mark, and take the oil in the bottle with you in case it needs to be topped up during the journey. This is especially important if you travel across the country or abroad and before calling your long distance movers Los Angeles. It is also important that the oil has the right volume and viscosity, especially if you travel longer than usual. To test whether your oil is still in good condition, use the “oil level test”. The oil level must be close to the top and should have a honey-like consistency. If your engine oil does not meet any of these requirements, consider replacing it while you still have the opportunity and are not on your way.
Also, check the coolant level in the expansion vessel and top it up if necessary, again to the upper permissible limit. Even if you relocate in the summer, put antifreeze because it has a higher boiling point than water, so the car will be more resistant to overheating. Check the brake fluid level. You can also check the battery terminals yourself and clean the oxidation layer or dried acid deposits if any. It is important to make sure that there are no wires, hoses, or plastic covers that are not attached. Also, check for signs of possible fluid leaks from the engine, which can be a warning sign.
The battery must be in an adequate condition
Check that your car battery is still in good condition. Still, it is difficult to say exactly when the battery can die, because there are many causes that lead to its discharge. But one clear indication that something is wrong with the battery is when the engine turns on slower when starting the car. This will tell you that battery life is near the end. If your car is about 4 to 5 years old and shows this symptom, consider replacing it before any your move.
Lights, sirens, wipers…
Make sure all the lights on your car are working properly, not just the headlights and taillights. Other important lights that exist in the car are fog lights, signal lights, stop lights, etc. If your headlight is dirty, clean it or replace it to have better visibility on the road, especially when traveling at night. The siren is also an important item in every vehicle, especially when you go on the road since it enables signaling and warns other traffic participants.
You also need new wipers for longer trips, because you never know what kind of weather conditions you will encounter on the road. If there are sudden showers, snow, or any other weather conditions that require their use, it is important to have new and quality wipers that will provide good visibility.
Never forget to check the brakes
No matter if you move locally or abroad one of the main causes of traffic accidents is the failure of the brakes to stop the car at the right moment before the collision. To prevent this from happening, make sure that your brake pads are in excellent condition and not worn out. Although you can do it yourself, we recommend that you take your car to a mechanic or an authorized service center.
Besides this, before any journey, it is important to pay attention to some of the signs that may indicate a problem with the brakes. Some of these are: if you notice that the pedal is loose if you hear a squeak when breaking if your car wanders from one side to the other when driving at high speed on the highway, as well as if you notice irregularities on the steering wheel.
Tires hold your car
Checking the condition of the tires is also extremely important. In addition to the tread depth, which should not be less than 4 millimeters, check the tires for damage. Check the pressure and inflate it to the upper allowable value, maybe even 0.2 bar above the maximum just before the trip. Also, make sure you know how to change a tire or maybe even how to repair a nail in your tire. This can help you out on the road.
Finally, besides the fact that you need to prepare your car for a relocation, it is important to adequately prepare yourself for all the challenges that await you on the road. You need to get a good night’s sleep and rest, in order to be concentrated and careful while driving. In addition, it is important to adhere to the golden rule, which is to take breaks every 4 to 5 hours while driving. Consider getting road insurance, which can make your drive much comfortable. Drive carefully and have a good trip!