When you plan for a long summer road trip with your family, the last thing you want to experience is your car faltering in the middle of nowhere. Your car’s major mechanical systems must work seamlessly if you want to make it to your destination. You can minimize the risk of car-system breakdowns by performing the following preventative maintenance inspections.
1. Air Conditioner
When outside temperatures reach heightened levels, your car’s air conditioner will need to work overtime to keep the interior comfortable. Air conditioners remove moisture in the air, bringing down temperatures. Excess humidity is not only uncomfortable but in extreme temperatures can lead to your body overheating. Have your car’s air conditioner serviced auto ac repair shop Fairfax VA before the trip.
2. Cooling System
When was the last time you had your engine’s cooling system checked? You need to address this often-overlooked maintenance task under any circumstance, but especially before a road trip. An inspection will ascertain the condition of your coolant in particular and the cooling system in general. A well-functioning cooling system both prevents engine overheating and helps keep essential engine parts lubricated.
3. Oil and Filter
The oil you add to your motor provides primary lubrication functions. Over time the oil breaks down such that it loses some of its lubrication properties. Change your oil and oil filter based on your car’s service manual’s mileage recommendation, especially if you will pass that mileage during the trip. In the month leading up to the trip, check your oil’s level weekly to ensure it is not dropping inadvertently.
4. Tires and Brakes
Your car’s tires and brakes work together to keep you both turning and stopping safely. Worn breaks will lose their stopping power gradually, while worn tires can fail quickly and catastrophically. A mechanic should inspect both tires and brakes at the same time.
On a long summer drive, your car needs to perform flawlessly. By maintaining its major systems prior to the trip, you can take comfort that the car will hold up its end of the travel bargain.
