Deciding to go on that summer trip? Make sure the first thing you do is thoroughly maintain and check your vehicle before you go out on your summer trip.
In addition, during the hottest months of the year, cars suffer much more and are more prone to breakdowns, so investing a little time and money in fixing up the vehicle can save us any setbacks in the middle of the summer trip.
Safety is always the most important thing and more so now that we are living in a time of so much uncertainty and health chaos, so before leaving on vacation do a review of your car, truck and SUV; your vacation and your family will appreciate it greatly.
Here are a few tips to help you know how to maintain your vehicle properly.
Check All Your Filters
Check all the main filters that your vehicle has, starting with the oil and its respective filter. Depending on the distance you travel and the frequency with which you do it, the oil and its filter will also have to be changed more frequently to avoid breakdowns or a traffic jam in the middle of the road.
One way to find out when it is convenient to change our oil filter is to consult the vehicle’s operating manual provided by the manufacturer, as there are standard parameters that can be used to guide us according to our normal driving activity.
Make sure to check the air conditioning and cabin air filters, which work non-stop during the hottest months and can end up clogging if you do not clean and check them correctly.
Check All Your Fluids
Make sure you have checked all your major fluids before going on your trip. Overheating during the hottest months is one of the main causes of vehicle failure, so one of the first things we will have to do is prevent it and check the water and anti-freeze levels.
Experts estimate that to travel safely, the mix between water and coolant should be 50/50, with both products being very easy to install and relatively cheap to obtain.
Also, make sure your brake and transmission fluids as well.
Check Your Windshield Wipers & Fluids
One of the most important things in driving is visibility, and it is just as important that we should be able to see the road and the cars around you.
Check that the windshield wipers are clean and are working well. Clean and change these if necessary for your front and/or rear wipers and always keep the windows clean. Visibility is everything, especially if you go as a family and make long-distance trips.
Check Your Tires
Another check that you should do carefully is to check if your tires are properly inflated and check the level of wear on your tires, otherwise you could have a breakdown in the middle of the road or even a serious accident.
Use a simple pressure gauge to check these and check the wear of the tires. If they are going bald, it may be time to replace them. Better safe than sorry when it comes to tires.
Get an Emergency Road Kit For Your Luxury Vehicle
A good way to prevent a breakdown from completely ruining your summer vacation is to create an emergency road kit with everything you need to effectively deal with any setbacks on your trip. Here is a sample list of items:
- Complete medical kit
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Road damage triangles and flares
- Non-perishable food
- Tool kit and a quality knife
- Blankets
- Oil, water and replacement coolant
- Starter cables
These simple tips can help you on your next summer trip and for avoiding road trouble. If you are looking for a quality and affordable pre-owned luxury vehicle, stop by and visit us at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, NY.
