Adopting a strong car maintenance routine not only cuts long-term costs but also extends the lifespan of your vehicle. Many severe accidents and unexpected breakdowns could easily be avoided if drivers were aware of essential daily checks for their cars.
By inspecting your vehicle each day, you can catch and address potential problems early. Regular checks are crucial to ensuring a safe and smooth drive. Here are some fundamental steps to help you keep your vehicle safe and ready for the road:
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Lights
Conduct a test for each group of lights: headlights, brake lights, high beams, turn signals, and fog lights. Switch on the lights and walk around your car to ensure all bulbs are functioning. For the brake lights, enlist a friend’s help. Have one person sit in the car and press the brake pedal while it’s safely parked, as the other person checks each brake light from outside.
Oil Change
Before embarking on your next road trip adventure, prioritize a quick oil change. Consider a thorough maintenance check for your vehicle. Fresh oil is critical for keeping your engine’s components clean and functioning efficiently while helping to regulate heat and prevent the risk of breakdowns.
Maintaining the correct oil quality and levels allows your car to perform at its best. If your vehicle is due for an oil change, or will be during your travels, taking the time to address it before your departure can save you from unnecessary hassle on the road.
Replace Your Air Filters
Driving with dirty air filters blocks fresh air from reaching both your vehicle’s cabin and engine. This can negatively impact your comfort by irritating your sinuses and also cause your engine to burn more fuel than necessary.
Replacing your engine and cabin air filters at a garage is a simple fix. Professionals can also check if your AC system needs servicing during the process. With clean filters and a well-maintained AC, you’ll keep unpleasant odors out, improve air quality, and ensure your system runs more efficiently.
Check the Brakes
Brake pads often experience significant wear during road trips. While the most accurate way to inspect your brake pads involves removing the wheels, you can still perform a basic check without doing so.
Take a look behind the wheel and assess the thickness of the brake pad. It should measure at least six millimeters to be considered safe. Additionally, examine the surface of your brake discs. If you notice pronounced, uneven grooves resembling a vinyl record, it may be time to replace them.
Inspect your AC
This is an area where repair shops often take advantage, claiming you need a full system flush and leak-down test to ensure your AC is functioning. If your car is older and no cold air is coming from the vents, it’s likely you either need a freon recharge or your heater control switch is stuck in the “ON” position.
An AC system evacuation and recharge should be a last resort. If adding a can or two of refrigerant from an auto parts store each spring keeps it running cold for a year, that’s a simple and effective solution.
However, if the AC only stays cold for a week or two before blowing warm again, it’s a good idea to get the system’s pressure checked. This will help you understand its condition, and hopefully, your compressor hasn’t locked up.
Endnote
Before embarking on your exciting road trip, take a moment to inspect your car to ensure your safety and peace of mind. These five key checks address the most vital parts of your vehicle, but remember, seeking advice from a professional is always the wisest choice.
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