If you’re planning a longer drive, it’s best to have your car properly prepared, but anybody can sometimes feel lost about what needs one’s attention. Leaving for a trip with an unreliable car can cause many problems. No one likes to have to deal with car repairs on holiday, and some malfunctions can even cause accidents. You know what they say – better safe than sorry! If you feel at a loss as to what services you need to ask your mechanic for, here is a handy guide.

1. Check the oil and other lubricants

Engine oil is basically the lifeblood of your car. It keeps your engine running by providing the necessary lubrication, and because it gets dirty after some 10 to 15 thousand kilometres, it needs to be changed regularly. Other parts of your car that also use oil lubrication are brakes, transmission, and differential. If you’re not sure about what brand to buy, always choose a reliable manufacturer, like Castrol for guaranteed quality. High-quality oils will prolong the life of your engine by minimizing the wear.

2. Check tires and the spare

A flat tire can land anywhere from “annoying” to straight up “dangerous” on the negative experience scale. Always have your tire repair service check what the optimal pressure is for your tires, measure it with a gauge, and modify as necessary. Most manufacturers have different tire pressure recommendations depending on the load the car will be carrying. Wrong pressure can lead to a blowout, which is definitely not something you want to experience on the open road. Have your tread looked at as well – driving on bald tires is a bad, bad idea. Low-tread tires have a much higher probability of hydroplaning. Besides, bald tires are illegal too and could get you stuck with a big, nasty ticket. Have your mechanic look at the state of your spare, and have all the tools ready in the trunk.

3. Have a thorough inspection

Everyone should have a good, reliable mechanic who isn’t just looking to take the shirt off your back. Because, frankly, most of us don’t care about all the minutiae of how cars work. Have a little diary of what repairs and check-ups they did, and when. Especially pay attention to when they changed your air, oil and A/C filters. All of these are commonly replaced every 10.000 kilometres or so. Also, regularly check your brakes to see if the pads or any other parts need replacing. Even if you have the most thorough mechanic in the world, they might not notice every single glitch, which is why it’s important to turn off the radio every once in a while, and really listen and feel your car. If you notice anything unusual, you can alert your mechanic to the problem and it will be much easier for them to identify and fix it.

Don’t leave stuff for last minute. If you need to have any serious repairs done, get them out of the way a few weeks in advance. That way you will have enough time to notice if there are any related issues. Even if you don’t know much about cars, always keep up to date with your check-ups. By keeping your car in perfect order, you are doing tons for your safety and minimizing the chances of being left stranded by the side of the road. Regular preventative measures will allow you to enjoy your trip without worrying. If you find it hard to keep up with what needs to be done and when, it might be best to work out a schedule with your mechanic.

http://deedeesblog.com/how-to-prepare-your-vehicle-for-travel/

Inform your village people first

You cannot prepare a vehicle for any trip in Nigeria. An unexpected event can lead to chains of reactions that will change the life of your car forever.

very good

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

Do you have their email address?

wonlasewonimi:


Do you have their email address?

My village people and your village people no be mates

Educative And Informative

Trust is the most important
You are in trouble if your car can not be trusted

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

It would be safer if you don't inform them.

Nice points OP. Sometimes when you're on the road, you see disasters waiting to happen.
Trucks with one tyre.
Overloaded buses tilting one way.
Overloaded trailers diving into potholes and drifting dangerously to one side.
Patched expired tyres, a disaster waiting to happen.
Dull and dirty headlamps and lights or complete absence of both.
Okada men competing with speeding vehicles.

And many others.

Please install a TRACKER on the vehicle. Call 08092601833

Also check coolant and brakes.

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

Lol

Yeah but that doesn't stop your car from developing fault while on the road.

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!
Is it not better they don't know?.

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

That what exactly?

thornapple:


Hahahahahahahaha!!!!
Is it not better they don't know?.

asumo12:


That what exactly?

Let them know you are coming na

Ok

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

if we bite u now people will say we are bad.

Olesekeniwoye:
Inform your village people first

sonnie10:
Also check coolant and brakes.

I think dz is even the most important.

Terrible thread.
Suggested:
1. Change oil & filter if necessary
2. Check coolant & radiator for leaks
3. Check tyres & pressure
4. Check serpentine belt & keep spare
5. Wheel balancing & alignment
6. Inspect brake pads, shock absorbers, ball joints & shaft
7. Ensure air filter, spark plugs & injector are in good shape
8. Make sure headlights are in perfect working condition
9. Confirm transmission fluid & function
10. Renew all licence documentation & insurance

Hope for the best because mechanic and electrical systems are unpredictable.

Also try not to go beyond 100km/h.

Olesekeniwoye:




Let them know you are coming na

Then they could make sure you never reach your destination.

ChiefSweetus:
Terrible thread.
Suggested:
1. Change oil & filter if necessary
2. Check coolant & radiator for leaks
3. Check tyres & pressure
4. Check serpentine belt & keep spare
5. Wheel balancing & alignment
6. Inspect brake pads, shock absorbers, ball joints & shaft
7. Ensure air filter, spark plugs & injector are in good shape
8. Make sure headlights are in perfect working condition
9. Confirm transmission fluid & function
10. Renew all licence documentation & insurance

Hope for the best because mechanic and electrical systems are unpredictable.

Also try not to go beyond 100km/h.

you've said it all.
11. Keep cash for Police, VIO, FRSC and others just in case. Heard the Police even carry POS machines nowadays.

urvillagepeoplee:
if we bite u now people will say we are bad.

Lol he reach that one

Make damn sure your temperature gauge is working. My radiator got leaked while cruising at 80km/hr and listening to DMX . The fun was cut short when my brake started vibrating, immediately I knew I have overheating problem.
Thank God it happened close to motorpark

3kay945:
Make damn sure your temperature gauge is working. My radiator got leaked while cruising at 80km/hr and listening to DMX . The fun was cut short when my brake started vibrating, immediately I knew I have overheating problem.
Thank God it happened close to motorpark

Wow, I had to login because of your post.
So, you listen to DMX too.
I'm a die hard fan of DMX. I can't drive without rocking DMX.

I don't know that there are still people in Nigeria who still rock DMX. I thought I was a lone wolf in the wilderness.

I'm Ryder4Life!

#RuffRyders

Cretaceous:


Wow, I had to login because of your post.
So, you listen to DMX too.
I'm a die hard fan of DMX. I can't drive without rocking DMX.

I don't know that there are still people in Nigeria who still rock DMX. I thought I was a lone wolf in the wilderness.

I'm Ryder4Life!

#RuffRyders

You are not the only one in the wilderness bro.

Cretaceous:


Wow, I had to login because of your post.
So, you listen to DMX too.
I'm a die hard fan of DMX. I can't drive without rocking DMX.

I don't know that there are still people in Nigeria who still rock DMX. I thought I was a lone wolf in the wilderness.

I'm Ryder4Life!

#RuffRyders

Meself dey the game with you.

sholajigga:


Meself dey the game with you.

Yo... ma dawg.. What's your most favorite DMX song?

3kay945:

You are not the only one in the wilderness bro.

lol okay nice