Don’t let car trouble ruin your next road trip! Performing a few car maintenance tasks before you go can help ensure your vehicle is ready for the adventure. Even though you can’t prevent every mechanical breakdown, checking your car’s fluids and parts before you hit the road could spare you from spending valuable vacation time in the repair shop. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Fluids This includes oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. Check your oil levels and the date/mileage for when you’re due for an oil change. If you’re close to your date/mileage, it’s recommended to change the oil before embarking on your road trip.
Lights Check to make sure all lights are working. This includes taillights, brake lights, turn signals, headlights, and reverse lights. Save yourself from potentially being pulled over by the police because of a non-working light. Not only is it safer for you, but properly functioning vehicle lights are safer for everyone on the road. Are your headlights yellowed or cloudy? A.U.T.O. Collision can often restore them to a like-new appearance, which not only freshens the look of your vehicle but makes it easier for you to see–and for others to see you.
Tire Pressure & Tread Check your tires. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy, and uneven tire wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If the tires are showing excessive tread wear, replace them. (Place a penny upside down in the tread across the tire in three spots. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, they’re worn beyond 2/32” and are considered worn out.) Make sure all of your tires are inflated to the proper tire pressure. Check your owner’s manual or a decal, usually found inside the driver’s side door post, for the proper inflation pressure. Also, don’t forget to check the pressure of your spare tire. This is often neglected. Not doing so will turn a bad time into a worse one if the spare is unusable.
Battery Make sure the battery connection is clean, tight, and corrosion-free. If the battery in your car is more than a couple years old, check that the terminals are corrosion-free and the positive and negative leads are tight. Batteries typically last three-five years.
Engine If your vehicle has not been operating to its potential lately: maybe it’s stumbled a time or two, or the check-engine light has come on (maybe it’s even stayed on), schedule an appointment with your local automotive service provider to make sure it delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy and produces the lowest level of emissions.
About A.U.T.O. Collision Utah
If you are in need of an accurate collision repair estimate the first time, visit A.U.T.O. Collision in Sandy, Utah! Our I-CAR® trained and certified technicians are ready to help our customers in their time of need. For helpful advice or to learn more about our collision services, contact A.U.T.O. Collision at 801.568.0305 or visit the shop at 215 West 9210 South, Sandy, Utah 84070. We are here to serve you Monday – Friday, 8am – 5:30pm.