{"id":20371,"date":"2021-01-21T14:22:49","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T06:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/?p=20371"},"modified":"2024-04-23T11:01:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T03:01:46","slug":"service-car-before-road-trip-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/item\/service-car-before-road-trip-checklist","title":{"rendered":"Car Maintenance Checklist for Your Road Trip: 9 Things to Check Before & After"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malaysians love their holidays, and what better way to spend long holidays than to go on a road trip around our country?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, everyone in Malaysia will be looking forward to enjoying their long holidays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But before you begin your journey,\u00a0 you should perform a car service to ensure you don\u2019t stumble upon mishaps on your drives. Having a checklist for your long drive can help ensure that your car is in good working order and safe to drive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s check out what you should have on your car service checklist \u2013 before and after your trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Car Service Checklist Before Your Road Trip<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s generally recommended that you check and service your car before a long drive as driving long distances can put a lot of stress on your car.<\/p>\n

If you have existing mechanical problems, low fluids, or worn-out parts, your car is more likely to face issues on the road such as overheating or a punctured tire. These can be prevented by having a car maintenance checklist for your long drive.<\/p>\n

1. Check Your Engine Oil<\/h3>\n

The engine oil is essential for smooth engine operation, and checking it before your road trip should be at the top of your car service checklist.<\/p>\n

If your next engine oil change date is not far off, just have it changed. Every time your engine runs, dirt, and soot will accumulate and mix up in the engine oil.<\/p>\n

This increases the viscosity and over time, it will put a strain on your engine.<\/p>\n

If your engine oil service date is still far off, simply check the engine oil level and condition by checking the dipstick on your engine.<\/p>\n

Your engine oil level should be between the minimum and maximum markers on the dipstick. If it\u2019s below the minimum marker, simply top it up with some new engine oil.<\/p>\n

You should also ensure that the engine oil has a yellow or light amber color. If it\u2019s dark brown or black, it\u2019s best to change your oil.<\/p>\n

Read More: A Guide to Car Engine Oil & When You Should Change It<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Check Other Car Fluids<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"service<\/h3>\n

Besides the engine oil, there are other car fluids responsible for keeping your car running optimally.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can refer to your car owner\u2019s manual for the service intervals of the various fluids and the specifications of the fluids your car needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When checking the fluids, make sure that they are at the right levels and conditions. While most car fluids are easy to inspect, some are harder to access and need to be inspected at the workshop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the fluids to keep an eye out for when servicing your car:<\/span><\/p>\n