If you're planning on going on a road trip with friends and family this spring, you and your passengers' safety should be at the forefront. The last thing you want to do is to run into vehicle troubles, like having a breakdown or getting into an accident. To ensure your car is up to safety standards, please take your time to assess these areas for your car before hitting the road.
- Fluids & Filters - Your vehicle relies on many fluids to run properly, including coolant/antifreeze, motor oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid/DOT fluid, transmission lubricant, and windshield wiper washer fluid. Don't forget about their corresponding filters too. A leak or lack of some of these fluids can lead to damage and immediate breakdowns.
- Hoses & Belts - A brief check on your vehicle's belts and hoses can significantly reduce your risk of a breakdown. When checking your belts, look for signs of fraying or cracking. It is important that you replace your timing belt and serpentine belt before they snap or break as it could lead to extensive damage.
- Tires - When monitoring your tires, you should first check to see if they're properly inflated to the recommended psi. Then you should follow up with a penny test to check its tread. If one or more of your tires are worn down, you may need an alignment or completely new tires altogether.
- Brakes - Your brakes are the number one safety component in your car. To check your brakes, take your vehicle for a test run and make a note of your braking time, brake pedal feel, or whether our brakes give off any unusual sounds (squealing or screeching). If so, you may need a brake service before your trip.
If you need help inspecting your vehicle before your next road adventure, feel free to bring it to City Garage.