Preparing your Dodge for a Road Trip

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! As warm weather hits New Mexico, so does road trip season. Whether you are headed to Santa Fe for spring break or taking Route 66 from Albuquerque to Chicago, it is important that you make sure that you, your passengers, and most importantly, your car, are prepared for the trek. At Melloy Dodge we see all kinds of damage, and perform lots of maintenance, in our Dodge service center, so we have a lot of insight on how to prepare your vehicle for a long journey. Not to mention, with families, friends, and our favorite Dodge models, we take a lot of road trips, so we know how to keep people happy along the way.

When it comes to maintenance, there are several things you should check on your car, no matter the Dodge model you own, or where you are headed. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a trusty Dodge Dart or a utilitarian RAM 1500, be sure that you’ve checked under the hood. Make sure your vehicle’s fluids- from engine oil to engine coolant to gasoline- are at an appropriate level. While you’re at, give your belts, brakes, filters, and gauges a quick look, too. On the exterior, check your tires and make sure they’re at the pressure suggested by your owner’s manual. If you have any doubts or concerns about the health of your vehicle, be sure to consult a skilled mechanic before heading out.

We know a lot of people (we’re looking at you, guys) don’t like to stop and ask for directions. For that reason Melloy Dodge suggests that you leave the house equipped with a map and guidebook, along with a cell phone with navigation, or a GPS in car, to make sure you don’t make any unplanned detours. Other smart things to have on board just in case include a first aid kit, extra fuses and oil, a fully charged mobile phone, water, and a small stock of non-perishable snacks.

For purely practical reasons if you’re traveling with others, music that suits everyone’s tastes, and some simple games to entertain those not driving are always a good idea.

Ready to take care of some maintenance? Check out our Dodge service center. Have more questions about how to prepare for your trip? Feel free to get in touch with Melloy Dodge. And, of course, for the ultimate in preparation, invest in a new car! Take a look at our new Dodge inventory, and then stop in for a test drive.