Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we can almost smell it! With so many of us traveling to visit friends or family, there’s no better time than now to inspect your vehicle before your Thanksgiving road trip.
We’ve outlined 8 tips for a safer Thanksgiving road trip below. Some of these may be easy for the do-it-yourselfers but remember that you can always bring your vehicle into our shop for a professional inspection. Our ASE-Certified technicians can look over these areas of your car for you and recommend service as needed.
Check Your Tires
You won’t get very far if your tires are bad, and we’d hate for those mashed potatoes to go to waste! Check tire wear by locating the wear bars embedded in the grooves. If the surface is worn too close to the indicator, it’s time to get new tires. If not, have your tires rotated as necessary to encourage even wear. Don’t forget to check your tires’ air pressure, including your spare!
Brake Inspection
A functioning brake system is crucial for safety. If you suspect your brakes need replacement, you can remove your wheels and check the brake pad wear. Also, check your rotors for grooves and damages while in there, and make sure no brake fluid leaks are present. Our technicians will do this when we inspect your brakes for you at our shop.
Filter Check
The engine air filter is located under the hood of your vehicle. If it’s clean, you’re fine. If it’s dirty, it needs to be replaced.
Some vehicles also have a cabin air filter that cleans air circulating inside the cabin. This can also be visually inspected. Check your owner’s manual for the location of these filters.
Fluid Check
You may consider getting an oil change before your Thanksgiving road trip. Be sure to top off your other fluids, including motor oil, automatic transmission oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
Belts and Hoses
Inspect accessory belts and radiator hoses to ensure they are working correctly. Hoses typically last 4 years or 60,000 miles.
Engine and Oil Maintenance
We urge you to consider one of our mile maintenance programs if you’re not on one already. These programs are designed to inspect your vehicle every 30k, 60k, or 90k miles, depending on your chosen plan. If you’re due for an oil change or another scheduled service, play it safe and take care of it now. Just contact our shop to schedule an appointment that works with your schedule.
Check Your Exterior Lighting
Check your headlights, high beams, front and rear turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, and license plate lights. You may need a helper for some of these. If your bulbs are burnt out, come by our shop to get your replacements.
Windshield Wiper Blades
It’s pretty easy to tell if your windshield wipers need replacement. Replace them if necessary to improve visibility in a rainstorm. You never know what weather may be waiting for you on the road.
Schedule Multi-Point Inspection Before Your Thanksgiving Road Trip
Contact us to schedule your appointment before your Thanksgiving road trip and learn more about our scheduled 30/60/90k maintenance plans!
