October is gone and here comes November.
You know what that means…
Time to plan for your Diwali (November 12th,2023) Trip!
*which is in 3 weeks to be exact (not like we’re counting or anything..)
So, if you’re a fellow Malaysian like us who loves and is in need of a quick getaway, what better way to spend the upcoming Diwali weekend than to:
- Go back and visit your family back in hometown,
- Food trip with the boys to Penang,
- Shopping spree with your girls at the Genting or Johor Premium Outlet.
Now we know it’s been quite a long year for most of us and you just can’t wait to jump into the car, drive off and enjoy yourself but..
SAFETY COMES FIRST!
So before you begin your journey, let’s make sure that your car is well-prepared and well-maintained to make sure you don’t hit any unnecessary “bumps” during your holiday.
Having a checklist will help you make sure that your car is in good working condition and safe for a long drive.
So let’s take a look at what are the things needed in your car maintenance checklist – before AND after your trip.
Car Maintenance Checklist
It’s highly recommended that you check and service your car before making any long trips as driving for a long time and distance can put a lot of stress on your car and its parts.
If your car has any issues with existing mechanical parts, low coolant or brake fluid levels, worn out parts like timing belts, your car will be more likely to face issues during the trip such as an engine overheating or braking issues.
These can be avoided by having a proper checklist you can always refer to.
Pre-Road Trip Checklist
1. Lubricants and Other Fluids Level
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- Engine Oil
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- If your next engine oil change date is not that far off, get it changed early as older engine oil is more likely to have problems during a long drive.
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- If the service is still far off, check the engine oil level with the dipstick for your engine.
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- The level should be between the minimum and maximum marker of your dipstick.
- If it’s below the minimum marker, just top it up with new engine oil.
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- If your engine oil colour is yellow or light amber, you are good to go. If it’s black, it’d be best for you to change to a new engine oil.
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- Radiator Coolant
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- To make sure that your car engine does not get overheated during any part of your trips, make sure that your coolant level is kept within the recommended level.
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- Avoid using tap water as they are high in mineral particles that will lead to long term problems to your radiator such as corrosion.
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- Brake Fluid
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- Make sure that your brake system does not have any issues such as slowing down smoothly or being able to quickly AND safely stop during emergency situations especially when you are driving on the highways.
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- Always check to make sure that there are no air bubbles in your braking system as this can be very dangerous when your car is unable to stop when you need it to.
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- Windshield Washer Fluid
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- Helps to make sure that you have a clear view of the road especially during heavy rains when you are on the highway.
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- Transmission Fluid
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- Ask your mechanic or service centre to check your transmission fluid level to make sure your gearbox can change gear smoothly during your drive.
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2. Tyre Condition and Pressure
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- You should always check your tyres since they are your vehicle’s main contact point with the road
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- Tyre pressure – Poorly inflated tyres are prone to get punctured on the road and can also affect your driving comfort and fuel economy.
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- Tyre treads – Check for any lodged particles which can be a dangerous cause for flat tyres. Tread indicators are spread evenly through your tyre’s main groove. If the indicators are flush with the tread level, it’s time to change you tyres.
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3. Car Battery
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- Pay close attention to the sound as you start your car, if it sounds slow as you turn the key or press the “Start/Stop” button, this might be a sign of faulty starter or you need to change for a new battery.
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- If you haven’t changed your car battery in a year and a half to two (2) years, maybe it’s time to change for a new battery as well.
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- If you have a multimeter at home, you can check your battery health at home in advance.
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- You can keep it as part of your Emergency Car Kit which we have included in this checklist (You can get a simple battery multimeter online within the price range of RM16-RM25).
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- You can also check your battery condition using your car headlight (If they are dim but gets brighter when you rev the engine, means your light is running off the engine and the alternator is not producing enough power to idle).
4. Ensure Car Lights and Indicator Lights Work
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- All of your car lights should be regularly checked as you can also get summoned if you are caught driving with blown lights on your car.
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- If one is not working, best practice is to get them both replaced in pairs.
5. Brake Pads Condition
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- Whether your driving up the Genting Hills or taking a long drive to Penang or Johor this coming Diwali, your brake pads are the lifeline of your vehicle, which is all the more reason for you to pay really close attention to the condition of your brake pads before AND after you driving trip this coming Diwali holiday.
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- Best way to check your brake pads condition: remove the wheels.
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- Second best way: Look behind the wheels and check the thickness of your brake pads. The minimum thickness should be 6 millimetres.
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- Also, check the surface of your brake disc for multiple uneven and deep grooves. If there are a lot, best to change them as soon as possible.
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- We’ve included below a quick tip on how to check your brake pads condition:
6. Have An Emergency Car Kit
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- Every driver and every car should have an emergency kit, especially when you are heading out for a trip.
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- An emergency kit should have not only a First-Aid kit, but also other items that can help you out of trouble during any time of your trip such as a flat tyre or your car battery failing.
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- Here are our Must–Have Items in your car’s emergency kit:
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- Tyre changing tools with a spare tyre and car jack included
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- Warning triangle
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- Multimeter
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- Basic toolbag (screwdrivers, pliers, spanners etc. with different sizes)
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- Jumper cable
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- Gloves (in case of hot item handling)
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- Umbrella and raincoat
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- Flashlight
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- First Aid kit
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- Duct tape
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Post-Road Trip Checklist
Depending on where you’re planning to go to, it’s always better to do a check up on your car condition even after coming back from your trip.
This is to make sure that you are aware of any damages or strain that might have happened during the trip back home.
- Hilly Roads
When you drive on hilly roads like Cameron or Genting Highlands, you put your gearbox and brakes under a lot of strain which is why you should always check on them again once you are back from your trips.
Check your brake pads for any wear and tear as well as your brake fluid and transmission fluid level.
If your gear shifting feels odd, immediately get your car checked.
- Wet or Muddy Roads
Your tyres and suspension system may be damaged or misaligned when put through a lot of resistance and shock from wet or muddy roads during your trip.
Therefore, you should have them checked at the workshop which might include some tyre realignment work.
You should also have your car surfaces cleaned as dried mud can get tougher to clean the longer you leave it on.
Looking for the Right Solution For All Your Automotive Needs? Choose Valiantech Certified Lubricants
Fully inspecting your car before and after a long holiday trip can give you a much more comfortable and safe drive, and we hope this checklist can help you prepare for the upcoming Diwali trip as well as End-of-The-Year and Christmas holiday trip.
That said , if you’re looking for quality ranges of lubricant solutions for your vehicle needs, take a look at Valiantech and its online store in the link provided
From radiator coolant to windshield wiper fluids, all of our solutions are directly manufactured by our parent company to ensure top quality and reassurance to our users.
Here’s what you get by choosing Valiantech Certified Lubricant Solutions:
- Expert product guidance guaranteed:
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- Our team of automotive care experts have been working in the automotive industry for more than 10 years to ensure that our consumers will always receive the latest and safest practice to maintain their vehicles from qualified experts.
- Quality product inspection guaranteed
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- All of our product batches are fully inspected for quality assurance from the filling process all the way to being packed and picked up by our customers or their courier of choice.
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- When you choose Valiantech, you don’t have to worry where your purchase is actually coming from and if they are really manufactured locally or abroad. This helps you save time and money in long and expensive shipping and custom fees
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