No one wants to be stuck on the side of a highway when they should be at the dinner table eating Thanksgiving with friends and family. And with AAA predicting the most travel since 2007, there are plenty of drivers who need their cars road trip ready. Our auto repair shop is ready to inspect your vehicle and help you get it to the point of being road-trip ready!
According to most experts, checking your tires and your oil is the easiest thing to do when preparing for a trip. It could also save you a whole lot of trouble when on the road. Fluids, belts and other safety devices must be inspected before heading out. Furthermore, spark plugs, battery life and thickening fluid are major concerns in the cold. Taking a long road trip can test your vehicle because even a small problem like a worn-out windshield wiper or improper alignment may turn your trip into a disaster.
Is your car prepared for a breakdown or crisis? To ensure the safety of your trip, you should equip your car with a first aid kit and an emergency kit, if they aren’t already in place. A basic version of the 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.
The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends brakes and suspensions as a must-have on your pre-trip list. Many people ignore it because these parts can only be inspected by a professional mechanic. In addition, our preventative maintenance includes an oil change, tire rotation, and inspection by a mechanic plus much more. They also recommend looking under the hood before you hit the road. Their list includes the following:
Check the engine oil and your automatic transmission fluid. If your next oil change or transmission flush is due soon, you should definitely take care of it before you leave.
Check the engine antifreeze coolant level in the overflow tank, which is fairly easy to do. Remember, never open the radiator cap if your car engine is hot. Any leaks you discover should be fixed immediately because a lack of coolant while you are traveling may cause engine to overheat, which can lead to serious damage.
If you feel that your battery’s cranking speed is slower than before, it is probably time for you to replace it.
Check the brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer reservoir.
Change the air filter if you haven’t done so recently.
Look for anything irregular, including leaks and loose clamps.
Check the tire pressure, including the spare, and if you feel any vibration when you are at cruising speed, have your tires balanced. Uneven tire wear indicates an alignment problem, and improper wheel alignment may cause a car to skid when you are traveling at high speed.
Make sure that the jack is still operable in case you need to change a tire on the road.
We should also remember that those traveling this holiday season may not be adults but college students getting ready to make an overdue journey home. These students may have high mileage, older vehicles which may need to have an in-depth inspection. We forget about this so easily because we are all so excited to have our kids home for the holidays. Let’s help them follow these tips to ensure they are home safe and sound without any breakdowns or issues.
Keeping your regularly scheduled car maintenance up-to-date can help keep your holiday from becoming a vehicle nightmare, complete with bills for several thousands of dollars in car repair work. Get your vehicle road-trip ready these holidays with our auto repair shop.
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