While on the road traveling to your summer vacation destination is not the time to realize you should have checked your car more thoroughly before hitting the road.
To stay safe on your road trips this summer, thoroughly inspect your car before hitting the open road.
Here are some important car care tips.
Roadside Assistance
Contact your insurance agent or other travel services company to get quotes on roadside assistance packages.
These days, there are numerous travel package options to choose from. Depending on what’s right for you, your lifestyle and budget, you can pick from basic, premium or pay-as-go packages.
In case of a breakdown, roadside assistance may prove to be a lifesaver in getting safely back on the road.
Emergency Travel Kit
Although no one wants to think about breaking down on the road, it’s always better to expect the best but be prepared for the worst.
Before heading out, put together an emergency travel kit to include:
- Basic tools/toolkit
- Flashlights
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflectors
- Duct tape
- Batteries (new, in multiple sizes)
- Gloves
- Paper towels or rags
- First-aid kit
- Protective rain gear
- Blankets
- Water (for drinking and a gallon or two for the vehicle)
- Non-perishable snacks
- Portable cell phone chargers
Full-Service Inspection
Plan ahead to take your car in for a full-service inspection. Rely on professionals to perform a complete inspection of all your car’s working parts to include:
- Engine
- Oil change
- Battery
- Hoses and belts
- Check and top off fluids
- Air filter, cabin filter
- Change windshield wipers
- Check headlights and brake lights
- Check for properly functioning signals
- Brakes
- Tires (checking tread, proper tire pressure, rotate the tires if needed)
Be sure to voice any concerns about your vehicle to the technician. If you’ve noticed any noises or sponginess from the brakes, steering or handling concerns while driving, fluid leaks or anything else that feels off.
Even if you might feel like something is too insignificant to mention, pass it on to the technician so they know what to check.
Conclusion
If you are car-savvy, you may be able to perform many of these inspections and perform the needed repairs or replacements yourself.
But for those of you who might not have the know-how or time to perform these service inspections yourself, make the appointment for a complete service appointment well before the date of your road trip departure.
As important as it is to inspect and maintain all your car’s moving parts for a road trip, it’s important to take care of the exterior of your vehicle as well.
For repair of those dents, dings, paint and auto body repairs and restorations, make an appointment with the experts at Downtown Autobody, serving Sonoma County.