Modern cars are being engineered for reliability, toughness, and durability. This means long drives are less stressful to a car’s mechanical components, especially if it is not old.
In general, long drives will not damage your car right away. However, a long road trip can perpetrate costly damage to your vehicle without immediate notice. This is because every mile results in a certain amount of wear and tear to the engine, the tires, and other moving parts.
Knowing the impact of long road trips on cars will help you be conscious about its routine maintenance and decide when it is the right time to consider a rental car for long road trips.
This article will encompass the measures you can take to minimize damage to your car on a long road trip, how long your car can run on a long road trip, what can happen to it, and more.
Are long-distance drives bad for your car?
Long-distance drives are not bad for your car on the condition that you have performed a tune-up to your vehicle and have sufficient engine lubrication, coolant, water, and fuel. Driving your car all day is not bad if it has ample fuel and has been properly serviced. Provided it has undergone scheduled maintenance, a vehicle can easily drive for 12 hours or even 24 hours straight without mechanical problems.
Extreme use and high mileage can impact your vehicle’s value if you are planning to resale it later.
Therefore, if your vehicle is in good running condition and up to date on inspection, you should have no trouble taking it on a long drive. However, there are some exemptions. You may need to think again about taking your vehicle for a long drive if you are frequently working on it or are having to replace lots of parts.
8 things to minimize the damage of your car on a long road trip
1. Examine the tires and alignment
A part of your car that is crucial is the tires. You need to be sure that they’re appropriately inflated because flat tires are not only a challenge to drive with, but they can also be incredibly dangerous. Therefore, it is always a great proposition to check your tire pressure before embarking on a long-distance drive.
Also, an exploding tire can be disastrous, so ensure that all your wheels are suitable for a long drive. Ensure that you have supplied a proper amount of pressure to your tires and regularly exchange the tires’ positions from time to time to allow them to wear off uniformly.
2. Check fluids
Before a long road trip, you need to check if your car might need a system flush or an oil change. Sufficient oil levels will always make the engine remain lubricated. Fluid changes are obligatory for every specific mileage reached, so you should refer to your auto’s user manual.
3. Check coolant levels
The coolant in your car is the component that keeps your engine from overheating. Older vehicles can often develop leaks in the radiator, meaning your vehicle may be functioning on insufficient coolant. If it overheats during your long road trip, it could mean serious repair work will be needed. Checking your coolant levels will help you avoid these stiff upkeeps.
4. Check the car’s brakes
Another vital facet is the brakes because if they don’t work, you don’t want to find out when you’re approaching a busy junction. Also, make it a prerequisite to check any wearing off on the brake pads.
5. Check the air filter
Make sure that the filter is clean; this way, it will filter the air properly. It is also a good idea to replace the air filter because the engine operates efficiently on clean filtered air.
6. Make sure the exhaust system is in good condition
Check your exhaust system for strange noises like popping and hissing. A defective exhaust system could mean poor fuel efficiency, decreased power, and sometimes, improper venting of the toxic gasses that your engine produces.
7. Adjust the steering and suspension
Ensure that your vehicle’s steering parts are fastened, all shocks are renewed, and there are no worn-out mounts because you do not need your car to be swaying and bouncing off during your trip.
Before you hit the road, make sure you visit a professional to examine your car’s steering and suspension system to guarantee a smooth ride to your destination.
8. Give your car an overall tune-up
Always stay alert to warning lights, weird smells, fumes, or noises that could be proceeding from your vehicle.
You can always avoid the above by giving your car an overall tune-up. A tune-up usually involves replacing the components of your vehicle that are responsible for keeping it driving smoothly. These parts include…
- Spark plugs & wires
- Tire treads
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Belt checks
- Headlamps
- Electrics
- Battery charge
To uphold safe driving conditions, if necessary, replace any worn belts, hoses, or bulbs. Check beforehand to ensure that your car is not ticking, leaking oil, misfiring, or refusing to turn over.
How long can a car run on a road trip?
If a car is well maintained has adequate engine lubrication and fuel, there is no mechanical limit on how long it can run on a long road trip.
A car can drive continuously for around 8-9 hours before it will call for refuelling, depending on its tank capacity. However, for some recent cars that are fuel-efficient, they only need refuelling, usually every 12-15 hours.
In brief, there is no sole distinction as to how often you need to stop your car during road trips, as it will depend entirely on how often you need to add more fuel.
Do cars need rest on long road trips?
Under normal circumstances, cars do not need rest during long road trips. You can continue driving as long as they don’t heat up. If the vehicle’s mechanical components are intact, fuel is sufficient, coolant, water, and engine oil are topped up, the car can effortlessly go for long distances. This means the only time the engine will have to stop, and “rest” is when topping up fuel.
Giving the engine a break in hot weather is usually needed to cool down. Monitoring the temperature gauge for signs of overheating is essential and make sure you pull over if it exceeds the normal range.
Surely the vehicle will need maintenance and repairs along the way, but likely nothing major, but if your car is an old one with a faulty engine and rest will be periodically required.
What can happen to my car during a long road trip?
Your car may overheat on a long drive in hot conditions where you will have to stop and start due to traffic. Other more severe complications of overheating are hidden engine problems which consist of head gasket, water pump, thermostat, and radiator.
Overheating can also happen due to low engine oil levels, so there is a need to inspect them before you leave for your long road trip. Indicators that show that your car is overheating include steam coming from the hood, rising temperature gauge, and abnormal engine odours.
How well your car will work in the long run could also be affected by certain obstacles that you might meet on your trips. This includes circumstances where the engine uses more power, like driving uphill.
When is it better to rent a car for long road trips?
Highlighted below are some reasons to decide when it is better to rent a car for a long road trip.
- If you are concerned about increasing the mileage on your clock, which may depreciate the car’s worth, a rental car might be more cost-effective long term.
- To keep wear and tear as minimal as possible. Taking long-distance trips with your car can damage your car long-term and could lead to it needing future repairs; therefore, it would be wiser to rent a car for the long trip.
- Renting a car with better fuel efficiency than your vehicle can make you save up some money.
- Also, consider if your car has appropriate features for long trips like air conditioning and power steering. These are essentials for a long journey.
- Pay attention to the road trip route’s road condition and assess if your car is a good fit or rent a car that can handle the terrain.
Conclusion
Generally, a long road trip will not damage your car instantly. Still, your car must be in good mechanical condition, which means you must keep on topping oil and fluid changes, belt and hose changes, and under-carriage lubrication.
However, owners of older vehicles may want to consider a rental car for road trips instead of using their vehicles.
