Things to do for your car after a long trip

Wash the car

The first thing to do after a long trip is to wash your car. When your car is on the road for many days, especially when traveling on country roads, national highways, and expressways, it will be covered with a lot of dirt such as soil, dust, asphalt, waste oil, dead insects, etc.

Leaving dirt on for a long time will cause the paint to lose its shine and fade the color of the car. In addition, the bodies of insects and bugs on the car are acidic, causing deep corrosion into the paint. In addition, brake dust on the rims will also cause rust, making the wheels dull and unsightly.

Therefore, the exterior should be cleaned with a soft cloth and a specialized solution. Wheels must be cleaned with a separate cloth, brush, or brush to avoid iron filings that can scratch the paint if the same cloth or brush is used to clean the car body.

For furniture, first vacuum the floor and seats, then use a clean cloth to clean the other components. It is best to use a separate cleaning solution for each type of material such as leather, suede, felt, plastic and use a separate cloth for each type of cleaning solution.

Car owners can wash their cars at home if they have enough space and tools or wash their cars at reputable, professional car care facilities. They should also wash the undercarriage and clean the interior.

Check and replace fluids in the vehicle

Fluids that should be checked after a long trip include engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Driving continuously for many days will cause more engine oil loss, so car owners should replace the engine oil if it is close to its expiration date (common cars about 4,000 - 6,000 km, luxury cars about 8,000 - 10,000 km), or add more if it is low, check with the dipstick or on the information screen in the car.

For coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid, simply add the same type of fluid if it is low. The car owner needs to open the hood to check the level of these fluids. Some newer cars have the ability to check through the infotainment screen. This information is clearly stated in the car's owner's manual.

Brake and tire maintenance

Brakes and tires are two important parts of the vehicle and need to be checked regularly to ensure safe operation. Tire tread wear can be checked by using the wear indicator lines printed on the tire, which are located in different positions depending on the type and brand of tire. Tires must be replaced when they are too worn.

For brake assemblies, vehicle owners should have the wear of brake pads and brake discs checked at an authorized service workshop during maintenance and replaced if necessary.

Typically, car tires have a lifespan of 30,000 - 70,000 km or 5-6 years. Brake discs and brake pads have a lifespan of 50,000 - 100,000 km, or 3-7 years. The lifespan of these components depends on driving conditions and driving style.

Check your tire pressure after every long trip. It is likely that your tires will be a little low after several days of continuous driving, so you should inflate them to the manufacturer's recommended level.