car cool

Before a road trip, check vehicle lights in a suitable parked location and record each function separately. A dashboard icon or one bright front lamp does not prove that every lamp works. Use the owner’s manual for your model, and turn an uncertain result into a clear service note. Contents 1. Start with a parked check and the owner’s manual 2. Check a function, not just a bright patch 3. Turn an uncertain result into a precise service note 4. Common questions before leaving 1. Start with a parked check and the owner’s manual NHTSA’s road-trip guidance includes headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights among the items to check. If a trailer is involved, its brake lights and turn signals also need attention. This is a useful starting list, not a model-specific test procedure. Choose a stationary, suitable parking location. Apply the parking brake and follow the vehicle manual for the controls and power state needed for each function. Do not run a ve...

Before a road trip, open the trunk and identify your car’s actual tire equipment. A spare wheel, a compressor-and-sealant kit, and roadside assistance are different preparations. Do not discover which one you have only after a puncture. This is a pre-departure inventory, not a roadside tire-changing tutorial. For your vehicle’s permitted use and limits, read the matching owner’s manual or ask a qualified tire professional. Contents 1. Identify the equipment, not an assumption 2. Include the spare in the maintenance check 3. Make the equipment reachable 4. Questions to ask before you drive 1. Identify the equipment, not an assumption Look in the location described by your vehicle’s manual. Note whether there is a full-size spare, a temporary spare, a repair kit, or another arrangement. Do not assume that a space in the trunk contains a usable tire. Record the model year and trim with your notes. A video showing another version of the car is not proof that your vehicle has the same equi...