Are you one of the 45.5 million Americans who are estimated to be on the road this Thanksgiving weekend? That’s right, AAA has estimated that of the anticipated 51 million travelers this weekend, 89% of them are planning a road trip – there are going to be a LOT of cars on the road. So, the next question is, if you are one of those holiday road-trippers, is your vehicle ready for the journey?

We preach preventative maintenance all year round, which is the way it should be, however, when you are getting ready to hit the road, your car maintenance needs to really be in tip top shape. This is where we can help.

If you’re in the Tempe or Mesa areas, we want to see you BEFORE you head out on your trip, not because your vehicle has broken down in the middle of it. Here at Good Works Auto Repair, we offer a complete preventative maintenance check-up to help you avoid breakdowns along the way. We will be sure to check lights, fluids, wipers, tires, belts, hoses and everything in between, so you can be confident that your vehicle will make it to your holiday destination safe and sound.

Getting Your Vehicle Road Trip Ready

If you are one of those guys or gals who likes to take care of your own automotive maintenance, check out these tips to help ensure a road-ready vehicle:

• Check all your fluid levels, including your oil, transmission, brake and power steering fluids, engine coolant, windshield washer fluid etc., If it is about time for an oil change or a transmission flush, you should seriously consider having that done before you leave.
• Inspect your tires and check your tire pressure. If your tires are showing signs of wear and tear, you might want to consider replacing them. It is also a good idea to have your tires rotated and the alignment checked before heading out on your trip as well.
• Run a battery test on your car battery. Both extremely hot and extremely cold weather, can have negative effects on your battery. If you feel that your battery’s cranking speed is slower than before, it is probably time for you to replace it.
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and your windshield washer fluid is topped off – you never know what kind of weather you might run into.
• Make sure your car is equipped with a first aid kit and an emergency car kit – your emergency car kit should include: two roadside flares, a quart of oil, extra fuses, a flashlight, a multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, a knife, a saw, a bottle opener, screwdriver, file, and an awl, a tire inflator, some rags, and a pocket knife.
• It is also highly recommended to inspect your brakes and suspension before getting on the road.
• Change the air filter if you haven’t done so recently.
• Look for anything irregular, including worn hoses, loose clamps and leaks.