Road trip car checklist.

Road trip season is here. Before you head out, have your vehicle serviced and inspected so any problems turn up in the shop and not on the highway.

A breakdown hours from home costs more than a check before you leave, in towing, in repairs at whatever shop is open, and in lost holiday.

Worth checking before a long drive

• Oil and other fluids
• Brakes
• Tires and wheel alignment
• Battery
• Air conditioning

Not sure what the car needs? Book a vehicle inspection and we will tell you what we find. You get a quote before any work starts.

Checks you can do yourself

• Tire pressure. Check all four, and the spare if you have one, when the tires are cold. Use the numbers on the sticker inside the driver’s door. Some vehicles list a higher pressure for a full load, so check the sticker or the owner’s manual.
• Tread. Look for wear down to the wear bars, uneven wear, cuts and bulges.
• Lights. Walk around the car with the headlights, brake lights and signals on. A second person helps with the brake lights.
• Wipers and washer fluid. Replace blades that streak and top up the washer fluid. Bugs and road grime build up fast on the highway.
• Under the car. Look for fresh drips where you park. Note the colour and mention it when you book.
• Warning lights. If one is on, have it checked before you go. A diagnostic scan shows what the car has flagged.

Heading into the mountains

Many Calgary road trips head west on the Trans-Canada Highway toward Banff, Golden and beyond. Mountain driving is harder on a vehicle than a drive across town.

• Brakes. Long downhill grades heat the brakes up. Shift to a lower gear and let the engine help slow the car instead of riding the brake pedal. If the pedal feels soft or you smell hot brakes, pull over and let them cool.
• Cooling system. Climbing with a full load and the A/C on makes the engine work harder. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge.
• Fuel. Some mountain routes, like the Icefields Parkway, have very few places to buy fuel. Fill up before you leave town.
• Weather. Snow can fall in the mountain passes in almost any month. Check the road report before you go.

Pack for the unexpected

• Water and snacks
• A first aid kit
• A flashlight
• Booster cables or a portable jump starter
• A phone charger
• A warm layer and a blanket, even in summer

A roof box or a full load changes how the car brakes and handles. Leave extra space to the car ahead and give yourself more time to stop.

Book ahead

Call (403) 283-5015 or book online, and we will find a time that works with your schedule.