Berkeley, CA – Get These Things Checked In Your Car Before a Road Trip

Are you planning to go on a road trip soon?

We all know that going on road trips is as American as the Fourth of July fireworks. No matter what stage of life you’re in, a road trip is something everyone enjoys. Whether it’s an adventurous trip to the Grand Canyon with your college friends or a short visit to your family home with your children, the tradition of annual road trips should be kept alive.

An important part of ensuring that your road trips are enjoyable is to check your vehicle and prepare it for the journey ahead. Always remember to take your car to an auto repair shop for a thorough safety inspection before you hit the road. This way, your car will be in the perfect condition to deliver its best performance on the journey and you’ll have peace of mind as well. Continue reading this article to find out the most important things to get checked in your car before you embark on your journey.

Engine Oil

The first and perhaps most important thing to get checked in your car before you leave for a road trip is the engine oil in it. If your car is due for an oil change anytime soon then we suggest you get the oil changed before you hit the road. A long road trip can often give more stress to your car’s engine. This is why your car needs to be in its best condition to deliver its best performance on a road trip.

Moreover, it’s important to know that adding extra engine oil is not the same thing as an oil change. Engine oil tends to contain sludge as it gets older and adding more oil does not clear this sludge. Only an oil and filter change from an auto repair shop will solve this problem.

Tire Tread

The next thing to get checked in your vehicle before a road trip is its tires. You must ensure that the tires in your car are not completely worn out otherwise they can easily blow out during long road trips. This will not only cause delays in your journey but also inconvenience to you. The last thing you want is to get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

This is why you should take your car to an auto repair shop to ensure the tread on your tires is around 1/16^th. If the gauge shows anything less than 2/32 then this means you definitely need a new tire for your road trip.

Brake System

The last thing in your car you should always get checked before a long road trip is the brake system. A well-maintained brake system is crucial not only for your car’s performance but more importantly for your safety. For this reason, you must check that the brake fluid is topped up to the full mark.

Moreover, worn-out brake fluid in your car can also cause rusting to your car’s brake components. This is why you must change the brake fluid in your car every two or three years. You can check the owner’s manual of your car for more specific instructions.

Please visit our website for more information on the services you should get for your car before a road trip.