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To Every Season

Preparing yourself and your vehicle for your next road trip

When it comes to traveling, nothing beats that initial moment of getting behind the wheel, gazing forward through the windshield at the road ahead and stealing a glance at the mundane evaporating behind you in the rear view mirror. A road trip can be as spontaneous as going to White Castle in the middle of the night, or as involved as planning to run the family minivan in the Dakar Rally. Preparation is the first step regardless.

The one thing that will ruin the trip faster than anything is if the vehicle making the trip isn't up to the task of travel. A breakdown or other mechanical woes halfway through the middle of nowhere can obviously put a damper on momentous fun. Preparing the vehicle is just as important as planning the trip itself. Road trip requirements can also vary by the season. Different seasons bring with them unique mechanical demands on automobiles.

Thawing of Wills

Springtime is a time of great joy for the cabin feverish. The melting of the snow and ice may also reveal mechanical issues masked by the deep freeze of winter. As they say in Vermont, spring is finding out that the only thing holding your car together was the ice. Cooling system gremlins, such as clogged radiators, malfunctioning thermostats, or on-the-edge-of-failing water pumps may sleep unnoticed due to sub-zero temperatures. Warm weather may manifest these cooling problems. Spring is the time to get the cooling system in order before the thermometer edges into the red outside, and on the dashboard.

Ever notice all the steaming cars on the side of the road on the first hot day of the year? Springtime is also a good time to check the air pressure in the spare tire, and remove all the flotsam and jetsam that's collected in the trunk and floors. Remember that anything that adds weight will make the engine work harder. Fuel economy will definitely suffer.

Long Days

As spring stretches into summer, thoughts of longer road trips come along with the longer days. Preparing a vehicle for the long haul in hot weather is of utmost importance before hitting the road. Become familiar with all fluid filling locations, and top off with only the recommended oil, coolant, power steering, and windshield washer fluid. Hauling along some extra of the latter is especially important if heading for bug country.

Tires and brakes must be up for the task. Tire grooves are built to channel away water and keep the rubber on the road. Sudden rain showers and storms in summer make tread depth an issue of life and death. Inspecting the brake system along with replacing the brake fluid and bleeding the system of air is also a smart move before heading out on the first long road trip of the year.

Falling Forward

Fall is a time to take in the foliage, and to reflect on the passing summer as it turns to winter. Fall is also a great time to care for the bug battered vehicle exterior. A thorough cleansing followed by a quality coat of wax will help keep the paint looking good whether puttering through the Green Mountains of Vermont, or motoring through the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Even better is that a quality coat of wax should protect paint for months at a time. Preparing the exterior for the ravages of road salt in the fall is good work for the coming winter. Fall is also a good time to shake the leaves and dirt out of the air intake and filter. Replace the air filter according to service schedule, or if just plain clogged with crud. Changing out the air filter is an easy task, and can restore performance and mileage over that of a clogged unit.

Old Man Winter

Winter requires special preparedness depending on the weather severity. On top of the list are snow tires. While an all-season tire will pass over a mild dusting of the slushy stuff, purpose-manufactured snow tires are the only answer when it comes to driving in real winter. Frequent winter road trippers often have a set of snow tires mounted on wheels already, so preparing for winter is a snap.

Be certain anti-lock brake and traction control systems are working properly. All the four-wheel or AWD systems in the world do nothing to stop a vehicle on slippery surfaces. Heavy-duty windshield wipers can help sweep thick snow and ice off the windshield. Scrapers and other de-icing devices stowed in the trunk will come in handy for removing frosted window freeze. A counterintuitive winter tip to banish interior window fog is to run the AC at full blast for a few seconds. The interior fog is caused by moisture, which AC excels at removing.

Prepare Yourself

Preparing for a road trip in any season involves preparing the driver and passengers along with the vehicle. Proper rest is the first step before any drive. Never drive a vehicle while tired. Pull over to a safe location and take a short nap, or grab a hotel room. A working cell phone with a fresh battery along with a roadside survival kit are also required packing. Drinking water, blankets, and some non-perishable foodstuffs should be part of any road trip.

The computer and Internet are invaluable research tools. Knowing the most about where you're going will help you to get there. Signing up for automated vehicle manager (www.vehiclemanager.com) can help you manage oil changes, and other service intervals by sending reminder e-mails to you. The oil won't change itself, after all. If all else fails, a roadside assistance plan can be the best money ever spent. Buyers beware, though: Let research be your guide.