The holiday season is here, and everything springs for exciting holiday action including your car. Time to tune up your vehicle to prevent system breakdowns and ensure you will get you to your destination or you could end up stranded by the side of the road. This is not to mention the towing fees and the costly repairs you would incur.
Here are the following 10 tips to prepare your car for the road trip:
1. TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN OVERALL CHECKUP - This is to prevent trip interruptions, and also to have the peace of mind from knowing that your car runs at peak performance.
2. CHECK COOLANT - The radiator system should be flushed and refilled every two years or when the coolant is rust-colored. If the coolant is low, wait until the engine cools, remove the cap and fill with a 50-50 mix of coolant and water.
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - Inspect the battery and cables, have the terminals cleaned if they're corroded. If your battery is approaching the end of its warranty period (typically, five years), consider replacing it. Other wise, the only way to detect a weak battery before it fails to start your car is to have it tested at a repair shop.
4. AIR-CONDITIONING - Try it before you need it–turn the air-condition on and let it run for a while. Even if it's turning out plenty of cold air, have the hoses and belts inspected.
5. MAINTAIN PROPER FLUID LEVELS - One of the fastest and easiest ways to dodge potential problems is by checking your car's fluid levels. Examine the dipstick to see its condition. If the oil looks black, it's dirty. Clean oil is a translucent light brown. Your oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. Before road trips, have your oil and filter changed by a professional. Refill the transmission oil, power steering, brake and windshield-washer fluids. Don't overfill the reservoirs.
6. INFLATE TIRES - Use a gauge to check the air pressure of your car's tires and spare. Take the reading when the tire is cool because pressure rises when the tire heats up during driving. Along with air pressure, check the tires for wear, nicks and tread depth. If you don't have a depth gauge, use "the penny trick" recommended by many experts. Insert a penny with the president's head turned into the tread. If all or part of the head is covered, the tread is OK. If the head is exposed, you need new tires. Likewise, check the spare. Also, make sure you have a jack and lug wrench and know how they work. You may want to invest in a can of flat-fixer (most service stations carry it) and a tire pump.
7. BRAKES - Have them inspected regularly.
8. LIGHTS – Make sure all the bulbs work, including high beams. Check the blinkers. Clean the lenses.
9. KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN - Grime, exhaust smoke on the road, dust, dirt, and other pollutants in the air can leave your car dull and dingy. To escape expensive damage, include washing and waxing your vehicle in your summer maintenance schedule. Remember to check your wiper blades. Replace them if they're worn.
10. PREPARE FOR ANY ROAD EMERGENCY - Even when you take precautions, the unexpected can happen. On vacations, you want to prepare for every possibility. Keep a kit in your trunk stocked for road emergencies with items such as first-aid supplies, battery cables, gas can, flares, flashlight (with fresh batteries), nonperishable food items, can opener and a blanket. Whenever possible, keep an extra cellular phone and some spare batteries in the kit.
HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP TIPS
*When driving for long distances, be sure to take breaks. Park your car on the safe shoulder, get out and stretch. Take 20 minute breaks for every two hours on the road for maximum safety.
*Plan and study your route. Whenever possible, secure a customized map so you could be warned about on-going road constructions, tolls, and other potential dangers.
* When going on long trips, take some snacks. You will be refreshed when you take quick bites on the road.
*Know how to seat people inside the vehicle. Have the children and the elderly on the back seats.
*Finally, sit properly behind the steering wheel. Do not hunch or lean to the side while driving.
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