Image via Flickr by Nicholas_T
Summer is the perfect time for taking a road trip with family and friends. Follow this checklist of three steps to take before a summer road trip, and you’ll be ready to hit the road in no time.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Before taking your vehicle on an extended road trip, it’s a good idea to take the vehicle to service professionals for routine maintenance. The mechanic will give your vehicle a thorough checkup to make sure all parts of the vehicle are in good working order. Even if you can check and refill the oil yourself or check the tire pressure on your own, it doesn’t hurt to have a professional double-check that all parts of the car are functioning properly before you leave for your summer road trip.
Check the Tires
The tires bear the brunt of your vehicle’s road trip, so it’s wise to monitor their condition often throughout the course of your journey. The air pressure in the tires needs to be checked every 1,000 miles or so to ensure the tires are properly inflated at all times. Checking the tire pressure frequently will not only help keep you safe on the road, but it can also help you achieve better fuel efficiency along the way.
It’s important to have your vehicle’s tires rotated on a regular basis, as this helps them wear evenly and should help them last longer. For optimal tire performance, it’s a good idea to have the tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or any time you have your vehicle brought in for routine maintenance. Ask a mechanic if you feel your tires need replacing
Check Fluid Levels
One of the most vital components of a vehicle, fluids play a huge role in the performance of your vehicle. Your vehicle’s fluids will be checked during routine maintenance, but it’s important to monitor the fluid levels during road trips.
You’ll need to make sure that your car has enough oil and that it’s changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Oil is essential for the engine to operate, so it needs to be checked frequently and changed if necessary to ensure quality engine performance.
Another important fluid in your vehicle is the windshield-wiper fluid, as it enables you to keep the windshield free from dirt and debris. Thankfully, changing the windshield-wiper fluid is easy. All you have to do is purchase a container of windshield-wiper fluid from a gas station and then fill the reservoir to the appropriate level.
Other fluids that you’ll want to check before a road trip include the vehicle’s radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid.
Taking these steps to prepare your vehicle beforehand can save you from some potential problems during your trip. Be sure to visit Pat Milliken Ford near Detroit, Michigan, to schedule your vehicle’s maintenance just in time for your summer road trip.
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