It’s fair to say that most people are ready to leave winter behind and get ready for the summer ahead. A massive part of summer for many people is the annual road trip. Whether you’re just thinking about getting away for a long weekend or you’re taking the whole family on a sightseeing adventure, there’s one thing that needs some attention before you go. Your car!
Vehicle problems while on holiday can completely kill the vibe and turn your summer car adventure into a nightmare. Of course, the best way to avoid problems is to have your car serviced before you travel. You can contact our amazing team at Beachwheels for that! But if you want to do some DIY car safety checks before you go, here are the ones you should consider.
Warning lights
The great thing about modern cars, and even ones that aren’t so modern anymore, are the dashboard lights. While often confusing, they actually provide you with important information about the things you may need to check. So, if you’ve had a couple of dashboard lights on for a while and haven’t checked what they mean, now is the time.
Simply refer to your owner’s manual because all of the lights and what they mean can be found there. Simply locate the lights currently appearing on your dashboard, and find out exactly what needs to be checked or addressed.
Check your car’s cooling system
The best thing about a summer road trip is hitting the open road. But hitting the open road, especially in summer, can have an impact on your car’s cooling system. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a coolant reservoir which is typically filled with a green liquid, known as coolant. This works with your radiator to help prevent overheating. So, for those long trips in the summer sun, always check your coolant level first. It also doesn’t hurt to keep a bottle of coolant or cold water in the car in case of an emergency.
Tyres
Before any big trip, you’ll want to check your tyres. A visual check is usually fine because you’re really just looking at the wear on your tyres. If there is still plenty of tread there, you should be all good. However, you’ll also want to check the tyre pressure level in accordance with the recommended PSI (found on the side of the tyre itself).
If you do have any concerns, it might be worthwhile to also book in for a wheel alignment. Otherwise, check the tyre pressure, tread and ensure all wheel nuts are appropriately tightened.
Be wary of old batteries
In general terms, a car battery usually lasts around three to four years, give or take depending on how much you drive. But if you’ve started noticing the car not starting as easily, it might be time to consider a replacement. While it might seem like overkill, if your battery dies in the middle of nowhere it can be difficult to find help without extremely expensive towing. So, if you think your car battery isn’t working as well as it once did, a precautionary new battery purchase might just save you a lot of trouble.
Brakes
Needless to say, brakes are some of the most important safety features of any car. When you’re driving in unfamiliar territory, particularly, you want to have great confidence in your brakes. If you drive your car regularly, you should have a good idea of how the brakes are going already. Listen for squealing noises, and take notice of whether your brake pedal shakes when you apply pressure. These are both indicators that your brakes may need replacing.
Another precaution is to check the hydraulic brake fluid reservoir near the engine. It’s smaller than the coolant reservoir and should be regularly flushed to prevent water build-up. If you’re not confident with this, bring it into Beachwheels and we’ll take care of it for you.
Air conditioning
While it’s not a crucial safety feature, your travel companions will be furious with you if there’s no AC in the car for those long drives. Car maintenance also includes the interior of your car. Remember, in some parts of Australia during summer it can get extremely hot. If you’re in the car for long periods, it can get very uncomfortable and opening the window sometimes just makes things work.
So, do everybody a favour and ensure your air conditioning and other interior comfort features are all up to scratch before your trip.
Contact Beachwheels for your pre-road trip servicing
Here at Beachweels Automotive, we provide comprehensive car safety checks and servicing for all types of vehicles. When preparing your car for a roadtrip, don’t leave anything to chance. Book in for a service with Beachwheels today, and get peace of mind that your car is ready for another adventure. Contact our team today to find out how we can help.