DURAND, Mich.– It’s almost summertime, a season when many families set out on a classic road trip to explore America. If you’re planning a road trip for your family, you’ll want to include certain items for your journey like snacks and an emergency kit. But it’s also important that your vehicle is fit for the long distances it will be transporting you to. On that note, here are some road trip maintenance tips to keep in mind before you hit the road:
Get your air conditioning recharged. If you notice that your vehicle isn’t cooling down as efficiently as it should, stop in to get your A/C recharged before you’re two states over with all of the windows down trying to avoid heat stroke.
Make sure your battery is fully functional. This is one most people don’t think about until it’s too late. Avoid breaking down in the middle of the night on a dark highway and make sure your battery functions correctly. Assuming your vehicle still starts, look for these signs of a dying battery:
Have a technician inspect your brakes. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your brakes are good-to-go just because you’re stopping. You should get them checked every 10,000 miles, and especially before you travel long distances. Look for these signs to tell if your brakes are unsafe:
Keep your tires properly inflated and rotated. You should have your tires rotated every 3,000 to 7,000 miles or as recommended by your Vehicle Owner’s Manual. Along with regular rotation, your tires should never be under-inflated or over-inflated. You should also keep an eye out for tread loss or bald spots on your tires.
Get a good view with new wiper blades. It’s time to replace your wiper blades if they leave streaks on your windshield, don’t clear it completely or seem to be cracking and peeling. The last thing you want is for everything else on your vehicle to be in good working order, but then suddenly be forced to pull over when it starts raining because you can’t see out your windshield.
Make sure your battery is fully functional. This is one most people don’t think about until it’s too late. Avoid breaking down in the middle of the night on a dark highway and make sure your battery functions correctly. Assuming your vehicle still starts, look for these signs of a dying battery:
- Lights are weak/dim when engine cranks
- Engine has trouble starting
- Engine cranks slowly
Have a technician inspect your brakes. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your brakes are good-to-go just because you’re stopping. You should get them checked every 10,000 miles, and especially before you travel long distances. Look for these signs to tell if your brakes are unsafe:
- Grinding/high-pitched squealing noises when stopping
- Steering wheel vibration when braking
- Increased braking distances
- Feeling the car pull left or right when stopping
- A burning smell when stopping
- A weak emergency brake
Keep your tires properly inflated and rotated. You should have your tires rotated every 3,000 to 7,000 miles or as recommended by your Vehicle Owner’s Manual. Along with regular rotation, your tires should never be under-inflated or over-inflated. You should also keep an eye out for tread loss or bald spots on your tires.
Get a good view with new wiper blades. It’s time to replace your wiper blades if they leave streaks on your windshield, don’t clear it completely or seem to be cracking and peeling. The last thing you want is for everything else on your vehicle to be in good working order, but then suddenly be forced to pull over when it starts raining because you can’t see out your windshield.
When it comes down to it, your safest option will always be to stop in at a vehicle service center where professionals can determine the quality of your vehicle, but these road trip maintenance tips are definitely major things to think about while you plan your journey this summer.
Our vehicle service technicians are some of the best, and would be happy to take a look for you. Schedule a vehicle service appointment online or call (989) 288-2657 and get a thumbs-up from us before heading out! You can also take a look at our New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks, perfect for road trips, at our New Lothrup Area Chevy Dealership!
Our vehicle service technicians are some of the best, and would be happy to take a look for you. Schedule a vehicle service appointment online or call (989) 288-2657 and get a thumbs-up from us before heading out! You can also take a look at our New Chevy Cars and New Chevy Trucks, perfect for road trips, at our New Lothrup Area Chevy Dealership!
Located at 9009 East Lansing Road Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!
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