Michigan Road Trip FAQs
from Al Serra Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
What’s more American than a classic cross-country road trip? Avid road trippers ourselves, we still believe in the mystique of climbing behind the wheel and chasing distant adventures far from our usual zip code. That said, the romance of the open road can quickly sour if your car isn’t up to the trip. Get ready to hit the road by checking out this checklist put together by the experts at our Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealer near Independence Charter Township, MI. If you want to learn about what to do before a road trip, just review the following FAQs.
What Emergency Gear Should I Pack for a Road Trip?
To ensure that you’re ready for anything, your road trip packing list should include an emergency travel kit for your car that at the minimum includes road flares, jumper cables, a first aid kit and a flashlight. Don’t forget extra blankets and warm clothes, either. We also suggest you check the condition of your spare tire and air it up to the proper PSI as specified on the sidewall. If you’d like to buy a new spare tire before departing, just give our Chrysler and Dodge service center near Independence Charter Township a call.
How Do I Prepare a Car for a Road Trip?
The most important step in readying your car for a big trip is to review some basic maintenance items, such as fluid levels, tire condition, battery voltage and brake wear, among other things. While you’ll certainly want to give all this a once-over yourself the morning you hit the road, we strongly encourage you to schedule Jeep service in Grand Blanc, MI, so we can perform a professional pre-trip vehicle inspection. Our team of experts will review your car for all the following:
- Punctured, aged or dry-rotted tires
- Cracked and brittle hoses and belts
- Worn brake pads and rotors
- Improper operation of lights, battery and electrical equipment
- Condition and levels of oil, coolant and other fluids
Is It Okay to Drive a New Car Long Distances?
The short answer is yes, but you’ll want to take it easy for the first few hundred miles. That’s because combustion engines -- including those found in our lineup of new Dodge cars and Jeep SUVs for sale -- have what’s known as a break-in period, which generally encompasses the first 500 to 1,000 miles or so. Why? The freshly manufactured components need to fully seal into place as the engine goes through its initial thermal cycles; driving your car hard right off the bat could disrupt this process and lay the groundwork for future engine damage as the mechanical bits age and wear. But don’t let this deter you from taking a road trip in a new car -- in fact, we think a road trip is a great way to properly break in a new engine.
