5 Important Things to Check on Your Car After a Road Trip

We’ve all been there – that epic road trip with your squad, cruising down the highway, windows down, music blasting. Those memories, as you cruise past the Viewpoint, overlooking the Great Rift Valley on your way to Naivasha, or revving down tiny paths across Maasai Mara, will last forever. But you know what else should last? Your car!

After hours of dealing with rough roads, crazy weather, and who knows what other challenges, your trusty ride deserves a little TLC (Tender Loving Care). 

You always hit the gym after an intense workout, right? You refuel and recharge. Well, your car needs the same pampering after pushing its limits on a road trip. It’s gone into overdrive, getting you and your friends to your adventure…and it’ll need to be ready for the next one, too!

Here are 5 vital checks to give your four-wheeled pal some well-deserved pampering:

The 5 Essential Checks

Ignoring your car’s post-trip needs is just asking for expensive problems down the road. 

But don’t fret – here at Peach Cars, we’ve got you covered with the five key areas to check off your list. It’s a simple routine that could save you tons of money and hassle.

1. Tyre Inspection Time

Your tyres are the only part of your car constantly touching the road. So, while the rest of the vehicle was cruising along, they were taking a serious beating from the road trip – heat, heavy loads, potholes, you name it. After a massive road trip, they’ve basically gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson (minus the biting).

After driving over who-knows-what and dealing with crazy heat or weather, it’s crucial to do a thorough tyre check. Look out for:

• Cuts, gouges, or bulges in the tyre tread or sidewall
• Uneven tread wear patterns (could mean alignment or suspension issues)

Properly inspecting your tyres is just as important as keeping up with routine tyre rotations and alignments.

While at it, check the tyre pressure too! If they are under-inflated, you’re then you’re asking for premature wear and wasting gas money that could’ve gone to snacks. 

Overinflated? That’s just increasing your chances of a blowout from a tiny piece of road debris. No, thanks! Catching tyre issues early prevents much bigger (and much more expensive) safety problems down the line. Don’t slack on this one.

2. Refill Those Crucial Liquids

All that driving can seriously drain your car’s vital fluids. Imagine running a marathon without hydrating – you’d be a hot mess! The same happens to your car after a ton of driving with no fluid refills. All those vital automotive juices get majorly drained.

From engine oil and coolant to brake fluid and windshield wiper fluid, topping them up keeps things running smoothly.  Plus, watch for leaks – they’re like a car’s way of crying for help.

Once you’ve parked firmly on level ground, pop the hood and top off anything low, using the recommended products from a trusted brand. 

Also, do a quick under-car scan for any wetness or fluid puddles that could signal a leak. 

• Dark spots = potential oil issues. 
• Bright green or orange? Probably a coolant problem. 

Addressing leaks right away is crucial to prevent bigger problems including friction, overheating, ineffective brakes, transmission issues, and so on, down the road. It also keeps your car chugging along for years to come. 

None of those are cheap fixes! That is why it also comes highly recommended that you contact a reliable vehicle maintenance service provider in Kenya for further help. 

3. Brakes and Battery Check

Think about all the braking you had to do on those windy roads or in stop-and-go traffic. Every tap of the brake pedal causes minor wear on your pads. Over hours of driving, that adds up and will eventually put you in danger once they’re worn down to the rotors. 

As we all emphasise, safety comes first.

Therefore, do a quick brake test by taking your car for a spin around the neighbourhood when you get back. Listen and feel for any weird noises, vibrations or soft braking that might mean it’s almost time for a swap. Grinding or squealing sounds are a dead giveaway that the pads are wearing thin.  

With pit stops for snacks and running the A/C full blast, your car’s battery is bound to get a hefty workout. That’s on top of keeping your tunes cranking, and everyone’s devices juiced up the whole drive. 

Check the battery terminals for any funky corrosion buildup that could spell trouble. However, an actual battery test from a shop will let you know if your trusty power source is nearing the end of its lifespan. Replacing a dead battery on the road is the worst!

At Peach Cars, we offer comprehensive brake inspections, replacements, and battery services. With a skilled team of technicians, we will ensure that your braking system and battery are kept in optimal conditions, guaranteeing safety on the road.  

4. Light and Wiper Inspection

From blinding sun to heavy rain and mud, you likely battled all sorts of crazy weather and road conditions on your trip. Now’s the time to ensure all those lighting elements (headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc.) and your wiper blades are in good working order.

Do a full walk-around, turning everything on to double-check headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights for burnt-out or broken bulbs. If they’re dim, flickering, or not working at all, swap them out ASAP for crystal-clear illumination. Hazy or cracked lenses should also be replaced.

Wiper blades are just as crucial, especially if any portions of your trip encountered wet weather. Worn or streaky wipers can severely hamper visibility on the road during bad weather. Plus, they’re an easy target for hungry cops looking for something to eat along the road. 

If they can’t fully clear off the windshield, it’s a safety hazard waiting to happen. For optimal rainproof vision, replace with quality new blades every 6 months to 1 year.

5. Check Your Suspension and Steering

Harsh roads can really do a number on your suspension and steering components. From potholes to unpaved backroads, a big trip puts lots of strain on your car’s shock absorbers, struts, bushings and steering linkages. The constant up-and-down motion can loosen things up or lead to premature wear and tear on these vital parts.

Keep an ear out for any new:

• Clunking, creaking or rattling noises – that could mean trouble brewing below. 
• Excessive bouncing over bumps or continued “rocking” after stopping. These are signs that your shocks are on their last legs.

And the telltale sign to get your steering checked out? A steering wheel that’s off-center, feels loose and sloppy when turning, or seems to wander and drift instead of staying straight. That likely points to issues with ball joints, tie rod ends or other steering linkage components that warrants you visiting the nearest vehicle servicing centre for a proper diagnosis. 

Why Delay Your Car Maintenance? Let the Peach Cars Pros Handle It

Look, we get it – taking your car in for service isn’t exactly a fun time. But ignoring maintenance or repair needs is just asking for way more trouble. Skipping simple, preventative checks means minor issues get way worse way faster.

Before you know it, a little suspension problem turns into expensive repair bills. A leak turns into replacing your whole engine. The solution is just a phone call away!

From tyre rotations to battery replacements to brake jobs and more, the friendly team at Peach Cars has your back for all your post-road trip car needs. Peach Cars certified technicians know all the warning signs and fixes to get your car road-ready again.So, why wait? Reach out today and get those 5 essential checks on the books at Peach Cars and keep life’s adventures going year-round. Your mind (and wallet) will thank you later for staying on top of car care.