How To Prepare Your Car For A Move

Moving paves the way for an exciting new chapter of your life, and it is important to be prepared! If you are planning to move using your own vehicle, there are some things that you must do to get your car ready for the long drive. You need to be able to depend on your car for a long drive, so Wrench has put together a checklist to make sure that you and your car are well equipped for the move. If at any point you find an issue with your car or routine maintenance that is past due, schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician before you go. At Wrench, your safety is our top priority and we do not want you to find yourself stuck on the side of the road with an issue that could have been avoided. If you are planning to move during the pandemic and want more information on Wrench’s COVID-19 safety procedures, click here.

Use these tips to get prepared for the move:

• Get familiar with your owner’s manual. Make sure you are up to date on your car’s maintenance schedule and schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician if you are behind on any of the services.
• Keep your car full of gas. You should have a full tank at the beginning and should aim to fill every time you stop to avoid having less than half a tank of gas. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you run out of gas, because this is both bad for you and for the car.
• Check your fluids! There are a handful of fluids that should be checked before you embark on your journey. Most importantly, check the oil. Oil is critical to the functionality of the engine, so Wrench recommends getting the oil and filter changed before your go. The radiator fluid should also be checked as this is what keeps your engine from overheating. Check your brake fluid and test your brakes for any signs of sponginess or sticking, because these could be indications that your brake fluid is low. The power steering fluid is also a good thing to check whenever you are checking your oil levels because this will ensure that your wheel does not stick. Finally, check your wiper fluid, because this is something that you can do on your own and will definitely come in handy on a long drive. It can be dangerous to have a dirty windshield and you do not want to be put in a position where you have trouble seeing out.
• Check your tires. Underinflated tires are guaranteed to waste gas, which is both a waste of money and could put you in an unfortunate situation where you run low or run out of gas much earlier than expected. A sticker on the door or a page in the owner’s manual will tell you the appropriate tire pressure levels and these should be checked before any long trip. Check the treads of your tires for wear and tear as well as flat spots. For more information on how to tell if it is time for new tires, click here. It is also important to check your spare tire to make sure that it 1) exists and 2) is in good condition and ready to be used. Additionally, make sure that you have the tool kit needed to change the spare tire if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
• Check your brakes. We mentioned that you should check your brake fluid to make sure it is at the proper level, but it is almost important to check your brakes, especially if you are going to be pulling something heavy such as a trailer. Your brakes should be in perfect condition for your safety and the safety of everyone else on the road. Schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician if you have any sense that your brakes could use a tune-up.

Other non-maintenance related tips to remember:

• Do not obstruct your view. You should be able to completely see through the rearview window to have the best possible visibility on the road.
• Place heavy items in the bottom when packing the car. This will help avoid damage to the lighter and more delicate objects.
• Begin the trip with a clean car. Chances are, candy wrappers and empty soda cans may find their way to the floor of your car over the course of the move, but it seems like a bad idea to start off on the wrong foot. Give your car a deep clean before you hit the road to avoid unnecessary messes.
• Have both a car survival kit and a COVID-19 survival kit handy at all times. The car survival kit should include a chain for towing if necessary, a flashlight, a small tool kit with screwdrivers and wrenches, bungee cords, and a hammer (to name a few). Given the unprecedented circumstances of a global pandemic, it is also crucial that you have hand sanitizer available, as well as masks, disposable gloves, and disinfectant wipes.

Finally, make sure you are prepared as well! It is not just your car that should be prepared for the move. Get a good night’s sleep, have a hearty breakfast, and know where you are going. Once you are confident that both you and your car are going to survive the journey, you can hit the road! If you have further questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.