Is there anything better than a summer road trip? It’s hard to beat the combination of warm weather, new adventures, and ample time at your disposal. You want your summer road trip to be perfect, so make sure your car is ready. Go through this car care checklist to prepare your vehicle for the trip.
Check Your Tire Pressure
If your tires aren’t properly inflated, it could impact handling. Plus, you’ll be at risk for a blowout, so it’s essential to check your tire pressure and add air as needed. First, find the recommended tire pressure inside the door jamb or in your owner’s manual. Then, use a tire gauge to check each tire, adding air as needed.
Inspect Your Tires
You could also have handling issues if your tires aren’t in good shape. First, conduct a visual inspection, looking for bulges and other imperfections. Then use a quarter to check the tread depth. Turn the quarter face down and slide it between the tread. You shouldn’t be able to see the top of Washington’s head. If you can, head to a local tire shop for new tires.
Check and Add Fluids
Your car’s fluids perform numerous vital functions. If any of them are low, you could end up in a bind during your road trip. Thus, you need to check them and top them off as needed.
First, pop the hood and check the coolant, oil, power steering, transmission, and brake fluid levels. Then add some fluid if necessary.
While you’re under the hood, you should also check the windshield washer fluid. While this isn’t necessary for operating your car, it does help you stay safe on the road. You need to make sure you have plenty in the reservoir so you can keep your windshield clean during your trip.
Replace Your Wiper Blades if Needed
You can have ample windshield washer fluid, but if your wiper blades aren’t in good condition, it won’t help you see. Thus, squirt some of the washer fluid on your windshield and then turn on your wipers. The wipers should remove the fluid without leaving any streaks. If they aren’t up to the task, replace them. This is simple, and you can do it yourself.
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Inspect the Belts and Hoses
You don’t want to end up with a broken belt or hose during your trip. Pop the hood and inspect each belt and hose, looking for cracks and frays. Also, check your owner’s manual to see if it’s time to replace any belts or hoses. Sometimes, they look fine, only to be at the end of their lifespan. For example, your drive belt isn’t likely to show signs of wear and tear when it needs to be replaced. However, once it reaches the end of its lifespan, it can break. You can avoid this by following the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing it and other components.
Have you conducted all the necessary maintenance, but you still aren’t happy with your car? That’s a sure sign that it’s time to upgrade. Buying a new vehicle from Tarr Chevrolet in Jefferson City, Tennessee, has never been easier. You can schedule a test drive at home, and we’ll bring the car to you. Then you can get approved for financing and buy the car from the comfort of home. If you prefer, we are also available in person and ready to assist you while shopping for a vehicle. Check out our website or stop by today.
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