Nothing’s more fun than a road trip, but nothing can ruin a road trip more quickly than car trouble. From maintenance prep to carrying the right things in your vehicle to deal with anything that might happen, here’s what you need to know to have a great road trip.

1. Get Maintenance Before You Go

If you’re getting close to an important maintenance interval, just go ahead and have it done before you leave. But even if you’re not close to a regular interval, it’s still a good idea to take your vehicle in for a trip check. The technicians at our dealership will take a look at the key systems, top off all your fluids, make sure the air con system is working well, check that your tires are in good shape, look at the battery, and fix any known issues that you tell them about.

2. Prepare Your Vehicle for Anything

You should always have certain things in your car to take care of an unexpected issue. You want to have two quarts of oil that’s of the right viscosity for your Chrysler, some extra rags for cleaning things up, a gallon of coolant, a gallon of extra windshield wiper fluid, extra fresh water, duct tape, and a basic tool kit. Spare tires, a jack, and a tire iron are also musts.

If you have room for it, consider also taking a funnel to make it easier to pour coolant or oil into the engine. If you’re going to snowy climates during the winter, take snow chains or small traction mats to put under the wheels to get yourself out of the snow. If you have room, a portable battery jumper will not only jump your battery but also provide power to charge up a phone, if needed.

3. Prepare Yourself for Anything

Make sure that you take along extra drinking water and some snacks that won’t require refrigeration, just in case you get stuck for a few hours in a bad traffic jam or with a breakdown. You have your phone, yes: but it’s also a good idea to take along a roadmap. Make sure you also have a first aid kit in your vehicle, a flashlight with spare batteries, and extra of any medications anyone on the trip requires.

Car emergency kits these days come with flares or orange cones that you can put out if you have to change a tire or need help, so get one of these. If you’re taking a winter trip, extra winter gear and blankets are important.

To get your Chrysler ready for a road trip, come see us at Audubon Chrysler Center in Henderson, KY today.