Make sure your car is ready
Prior to leaving, these are some helpful tips for you to do with your car:
2 to 5 days before leaving:
• Book your car for servicing and a thorough check-up. The service shop should change all old parts, tighten all screws, bolts, nuts and fasteners, check, top-up or replace the condition of fluids (engine oil, gear oil / ATF, clutch fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and coolant) prior to embarking on a long trip that can be torturous for your vehicle. Shops such as Dtmmotorsports in Fort Global City (02-856-1882 / 0917-5254745) in Taguig have a special device that checks the hygroscopic condition (how much moisture hydraulic fluid such as power steering fluid, clutch fluid and brake fluid has absorbed). Motul Philippines has a 4-5-6 promo on oil changes so take advantage of that as well. (Motul Philippines - (02) 726-0399 / 7263066)
• Check the condition of your tires. Air them up, check for punctures, rotate them or replace them and sneak in a 4wheel alignment even if the tires are not new; the better aligned the tires are, the safer they will be to drive and be more fuel efficient as well. Likewise tire pressure; if the tires are properly inflated, you can increase fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent on a long drive, and the tires will last much longer. You can have the service shop do this, or bring it to shops like Goodyear Servitek to make a comprehensive evaluation of your tire’s and suspension’s condition.
• Get all your LTO paperwork for your car, as well as your driver’s license renewed. The government has been implementing No Plates / Papers - No Travel policy. Your vehicle can get impounded, your vacation ruined.
The day / night prior to leaving
• Gas up your car when the weather is cooler, check all the fluid levels if they are filled to the maximum, air up your tires. All these things can be done at a gas station the evening before you leave. As a safety and fuel efficiency- tip, you can air up your tires 3- 5 psi higher than usual when going on a long road trip, your car filled to the brim with passengers and luggage. The harder tires might be harsher, but they also help lessen tire blow- out up to a point, in case you run over debris or over a pothole and will better support the full weight of your vehicle with everyone ( including cargo) included. Nitrogen filled tires cost about P50 per tire and will also help prevent overheating and increased tire pressure at higher speeds on the highway. Safe insurance, and you only usually need to check nitrogen inflated tires once a month at the very most.
• Charge your mobile phones fully. Check your route on your map, or program your route and destination on your GPS / SATNAV device.
• Ensure your hand tools are complete. Most Japanese cars usually require a 10mm to 16mm wrench, a working jack and tire wrench, plus a Phillipshead and flat- head screwdriver. If your car is European or American, the wrench sizes vary much more and are usually expressed in inches so check these out online for your car. Pack in a set of Allen wrenches and torxhead wrenches as well as some of the more premium models utilize these special fasteners. Additionally, bring along some towing cables and jumper cables, conveniently available from specialty stores such as Blade, ACE Hardware, Handyman and True Value in case you need to rescue yourself, or a friend in need when on a convoy.
• Pack workman’s gloves, an extra shirt, an old towel to lie on if needed, wash rags and emergency roadside assistance warning triangles plus a flashlight with an extra set of batteries plus a reflective vest similar to those used by highway construction personnel. This increases your own safety and visibility to other motorists, even during the day and especially at night. Mobile phone chargers are a must as well.
• Additionally, bring a liter of engine oil, a 5- liter bottle of distilled water