How To Get Your Car Ready For The Road
Whenever you travel by car, you need to be sure you are as safe as possible and that the vehicle operates exactly as it should be. You rely on the car and whenever something goes bad, a huge travel disruption happens. It is vital that the car is ready for the road and the good news is it is not that difficult to do this. You can obviously go to a professional auto repair shop like Pickering Auto Lakewood for all the needed checks but what is particularly important is to focus on the following.
Car Fluids
Always check absolutely all fluid levels: coolant, oil, windshield-washer and brake. Then, look at fluid levels for your transmission and power-steering, if this is something equipped in the car. When a particularly long trip is planned, a service appointment is highly recommended so fluid levels can be double-checked.
Hoses And Belts
Losing an engine hose in the middle of the road is quite a big problem. This is why you want to check all hoses. Squeeze them with your forefinger and thumb, close to the clamps. Then, check for mushy or soft spots. The hose that is in a proper working condition is firm but easy to bend. Check for parallel cracks that appeared around bends, abrasive damage or a glassy, hardened surface. If you find hoses that are damaged, replace them.
After the hoses, you want to check belts since abrasion, ozone, oil and heat can easily damage them. Check for splits, fraying, glazing and cracks. Similarly to hoses, replace them whenever needed.
Air Filters
Before the trip, remove your air filter. Hold it up against strong lighting. When light is not seen, it means the filter is too dirty and has to be replaced.
Car Radiator
This is a pretty easy check. All you have to do is check the radiator through your grill. The goal is to find any possible obstructions and remove them.
Batteries
Most people do not check their car battery before a trip but you should not make this mistake. You have to be sure that cables and terminals are attached in a secure way, with zero corrosion present. When the battery comes with removable caps, be sure that you check fluid level. This is especially needed when driving in a warmer climate. If needed, use distilled water to top fluid levels.
Windshield Wipers
Although you might think differently, windshield wipers actually last for around 6 months when the car is regularly driven. When the wipers are old, you want to consider a replacement. When you have new wipers, clean blades with the use of glass cleaner or regular washer fluid.
Tires
The last mandatory check you have to make is tire pressure. Look at all tires and be sure that you also check your spare. Only use a pressure level that is recommended by the manufacturer. Inspect your tires for signs of uneven or abnormal wear, cuts, sidewall bulges and cracks. All tires that are too worn out or that are older than ten years have to be replaced.
