The expert gave advice on how to prepare a car for a long trip

Going on a trip hundreds, and sometimes thousands of kilometers away, it is extremely important to make sure that the car does not fail far from civilization. Stanislav Chekmarev, head of the PEC: MALL marketplace, told Izvestia on April 24 how to prepare for such a road trip and what needs to be checked first.

"Before setting off, check if there is enough engine oil in the engine. Check the need for maintenance according to the intervals recommended by the car manufacturer. To avoid overheating of the engine, check the antifreeze level in the radiator," he added.

According to him, if the indicator matches the label on the neck or is slightly higher, the amount of coolant is normal, otherwise the antifreeze must be refilled.

It is also necessary to assess the condition of the brake pads by measuring the thickness of the friction material through the hole in the disc. Replacement will be required with a residual thickness of 2-3 mm. There should be no fluid leaks in the brake system. If this happens, at best the car will not be able to move, at worst an emergency situation will arise. Make sure that the braking system is running smoothly, without extraneous sounds and vibrations.

"Before a long trip, check the tread depth — if it is less than 1.6 mm, the tires need to be replaced. Make sure that the spare wheel is technically ready. Check the tire pressure level. Reducing it can lead to poor traction and increased fuel consumption. For most passenger cars, this figure is 2-2.5 atm, depending on the make, model and modification of the equipment," the expert said.

The manufacturer most often indicates this information on a sticker inside the door frame or in the tire instructions. At the same time, before a long country trip, we recommend slightly lowering the tire pressure by 0.1—0.3 atm. This will make the wheel a little softer, which means it minimizes the risk of damage when driving through areas with sharp stones.

It is worth carefully examining the suspension: if there are extraneous noises while driving, and the shock absorbers and springs are worn out, this can lead to problems in driving. In addition, it is important to take into account that on country roads there are branches that cling to the bottom, and small stones fly out from under the wheels. Monitor the condition of the dust covers and other elastic suspension elements for damage, and replace them if necessary.

"Before traveling, you should make sure that you have everything you need for operational repairs on the road. In addition to the spare wheel and pump, it is important to bring a portable battery charger, spare low—beam and high-beam lamps, small containers of antifreeze, engine oil, brake and windshield washer fluid, and a cable, which will be required when leaving the track and skidding equipment," concluded Chekmarev.

Earlier, on April 15, Izvestia got acquainted with the results of a study of the Work service.<url>", the companies "SberAuto" and "Citydrive" and found out what the Russians plan to do during the May holidays. It turned out that among the Russians surveyed, 21% of respondents plan to relax in their country during the May holidays, and 18% are going to barbecue. At the same time, 16% will go to visit their parents or other relatives, 11% of the respondents will go on vacation to another city. For 15% of respondents, the May holidays are a time of working in the garden, preparing for the summer season.