Spring is a great time to get out of the office for a few days while the kids are out of school. If you’re planning on taking a family road trip this year, you should be sure that your car is just as prepared as you are! Here are a few things that you’ll want to check before you head out on a great spring break adventure.
Fill your fluids
Before you hit the road, you’ll always want to double check all of your car’s fluid levels. There’s no worse feeling than leaving town only to realize that you’ll have to stop by a mechanic for repairs during your trip. Here are just a few of the fluids you should double check before heading out:
- Oil: Oil is your car’s most essential fluid. Old oil is full of sludge that robs your engine of power and ruins your gas mileage. Ensure you get the most out of your car by going in for oil changes in Phoenix before road trips.
- Coolant: The last thing you want is for your car to overheat while you’re driving down the road. Keep that from happening by equipping your car with the right amount of coolant.
- Power steering: Have you ever tried to drive a car that doesn’t have power steering? It’s not easy! Bring your car in and let us double check your power steering fluid levels so you don’t pull a muscle trying to turn the wheel.
- Transmission: Ensure you have a smooth ride during your road trip by having your transmission fluid levels checked. Transmission fluid doesn’t need to be replaced very often, but if you’re traveling great distances, it’s nice to know that your fluid levels are all where they ought to be.
Inflate your tires
Properly inflated tires ensure a smooth ride, keep you safe and help you get the most out of your tank of gas. You should always keep an eye on your tires, but especially before you head out on a road trip. And if your tires are looking a little old, now is a great time to have some new ones put on!
Replace windshield wipers
If you’ve ever driven through a storm with old windshield wipers, you know it’s not a fun experience. The older your wipers are, the less effective they are. After a certain point, trying to keep the rain off your windshield is just impossible. Make sure you’ll be out of harm’s way when driving through a storm by replacing your windshield wipers before your next road trip.
Check your brakes
Last, but certainly not least, be sure your brakes are good to go. Definitely bring your car into the shop if you’ve heard any strange noises. Even if they seem fine, it can’t hurt to come in and have us take a look, just to be safe. We can make any adjustments if anything seems off with your brake pads or braking system.
We hope you have a great time on your spring break road trip! Before you head out, be sure to stop by S & J Auto Repair & Rental for oil changes in Phoenix. We’ll have your car in and out as quickly as possible so you can hit the road on schedule!