If you are lucky enough to own a fully capable off-roader then there has never been a better time to make use of it. With the warmer weather season now in full swing, conditions are ripe to get your vehicle dirty.

What to Check and What to Pack for an Off-Road Adventure

Whether this is your first time taking your vehicle off-road, or you're a seasoned adventurer just looking for a bit of a refresh, Ace Hi Oil has prepared a list of tips to help get you started.

Start With the Basics

Every good vehicle checklist starts with fluids, and with good reason. Level such as your motor oil and coolant can determine the level of performance you will see from your vehicle, along with how much fuel it will need for the journey. For an off-roader, here are the main levels to check:

• Engine Oil
• Brake Fluid
• Transmission Oil
• Radiator Coolant
• Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid

If any of these levels are running low, fill them up or replace them entirely before you leave, and take the rest of the bottle with you. While checking these fluids may seem basic, too many adventure seekers get stuck in the middle of a driving track because their coolant levels were too low or they left it too long since their last synthetic oil change.

Check Your Vehicle and Its Engine

With fluid taken care of, it's time to check few items on the vehicle itself, including visible engine parts:

• Seat Belts
• Brake pads and shoes
• Tighten lug bolts
• Ensure your winch is working
• Fan belts
• Hoses
• Oil Filter
• Air Filter
• Shock absorbers

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to leave any of the above 'until you get back'. While roadside assistance may be able to attend your vehicle on a sealed road, if you're out driving on a track or through a national park, it's a very different story. If anything on either of these two lists needs to be topped up or replaced, now is the time. If you notice that your engine oil is low, or it's been a while since you changed it, speak with Ace Hi Oil at (888) 459-9958 to get the right high-performing AMSOIL synthetic oil and perform a synthetic oil change before you head off.

Tire Condition and Pressure

We have designated a separate section of this checklist to your tires, solely because they are the most important part of your off-road adventure, and can be the difference between powering through a muddy river and continuing on to further adventure and getting stuck with no way out.

Tire Condition

When it comes to tire condition, don't take any chances. The easiest way to check the condition or your tire's tread is with a penny. Take the coin with Abe's head facing down and insert into a few points around your tire. If any part of Abe's head can't be seen because of your tread, your tires are in good shape. If, however, you put the coin into your tread and you can see all of his head, it's time for a replacement.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is not a 'one size fits all' affair, and can vary greatly depending on your driving conditions. Check with your tire manufacturer or manual and be sure that your tire pressure is appropriate. As a general guide, you will likely need higher pressure driving on a sealed road to the driving track, then reduce it to gain traction through mud and dirt, before needing to increase it again for the drive back.

What to Pack

What you decide to bring with you in terms of food and luxury items is entirely up to you, and completely dependent on the type of off-road adventure and camping experience you are looking for. What we are going to cover here are the basics of every off-road adventure:

• A full sized spare tire
• Jack and tire iron
• Tow Strap
• Basic Tools
• Spare key
• Flashlights
• First-aid kit
• Handheld two-way radios
• Jumper cables
• Air compressor (strong enough to inflate your tires)

If you do get stuck, these are the staple items that can either pull you out of the mud or get you going again until you can find a full-service mechanic or repair center.

Give Your Off-Roader a Synthetic Oil Change in Colleyville

These are great basic maintenance and preparation tips to consider as you prepare for an off-road adventure. In addition to these, speak with Ace Hi Oil about which AMSOIL products are suited for use in your off-roader. Call today at (817) 431-6664 and find out how easy it is to give your vehicle a synthetic oil change before your journey and reap the benefits of a well-maintained engine.