Summertime means road trip time. In BC, there are many places you can take a road trip to. You have found your destination, booked your accommodations, and made a to-do list. Did you remember to add car maintenance to that list? Booking a car maintenance appointment with your auto repair shop so you can be ready for your summer road trip.
Below is a list of the areas that you should check before you take that long drive.
Tires
Driving on worn tires is extremely dangerous. Not only will you experience poor handling and braking, but worn tires are also prone to blow outs.
Tire Pressure
Checking the tire pressure to see if they are not under or over-inflated. This will help maximize your gas mileage on those long trips.
Brakes
If you notice your brakes don’t have the same stopping power they once had or if you hear grinding, squealing or growling sounds, it is time for an inspection.
Battery
Make sure the cable connections are clean and tight and the hold down hardware is secure. Have your car technician run a battery check to determine the remaining capacity.
Coolant
With summer’s hot temperature, it is crucial that you check not only the level of coolant but the mixture of water and coolant. Your car technician can help ensure that your cooling system is ready for the heat.
Wiper blades and windshield fluid level
Inspect your wiper blades and fluids – the snow, ice and frost of winter can be hard on your wipers and with the splash back from other vehicles, you will have used quite a bit of wiper fluids.
Belts and hoses
Reinforced rubber drive belts power the engine water pump and accessories such as the alternator and air conditioning compressor so you should inspect and replace any that are cracked, glazed or frayed.
Note that modern multi-rib or drive belt materials do not show easily visible signs of wear. These should be replaced every 60,000 kms.
Inspect and replace worn, brittle, bulging or excessively soft radiator hoses. Check for leaks around hose clamps and at the radiator and water pump.
AC – see if it is running cool
There is nothing worse then driving in hot weather and having your AC blowing hot air. If you are getting hot air when you turn on your AC, you might need a recharge.
With the carefree living of summer, it is easy to just want to jump in your vehicle and drive. But with extreme temperatures that summer brings, your vehicle needs a little TLC. Make sure your car is ready for all those summer road trips and vacations.
Book an appointment with us and we can get you ready for your summer drive!
