Trip Inspection

Have you ever wondered how to prepare your vehicle for a road trip? It’s a big deal and the safety of you and your family is a big concern. You could be driving through deserts, mountains or on a coastal plain in some pretty lonely areas and may get a little anxious to know that the car is up to the task and won’t leave you stranded.

The best way to make you feel at ease is to plan ahead for a major road trip – there are a lot of things you can do to get ready. Where should you start? A good place to start is with the tires. Check to make sure they are properly inflated and also look them over for tread wear. Take a quick test drive to see if you can feel any vibrations: do the wheels feel like they are in balance? Is the car tracking straight or does it pull to the side a little? Is the alignment ok?

Another thing to consider is a full service oil change. Make sure you have fresh oil for the trip or that all of your fluids are topped off. If your car has over 75,000 miles, you may consider putting in the high-mileage formulation to clean harmful sludge deposits in the engine. You may also need an engine air filter and a new PCV valve. If you’re unsure, contact your local NAPA AutoCare Center and ask the Service Advisor to check it out.

How are your wiper blades? Don’t you just love driving down the highway and a big bug hits your windshield, your next reaction is to turn on the wipers and water but you know what happens next. There’s nothing like not being able to get rid of the bug juice on a long road trip.

How about your transmission and brakes? Have you had your transmission and brakes inspected in the last six months?

Check your owners’ manual for any other recommended service and have your NAPA AutoCare Center do the multi-point inspection they do so well before you head out.

Consider also having the coolant system serviced - you want to stay within the manufacturer's recommendations. If you're towing a trailer you'll want to keep in mind that you'll be going a long way under severe conditions.

A lot of folks overlook severe conditions like towing, or summer heat, or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip - we want you to get there and back.

Give us a call and visit your local NAPA AutoCare Center to ensure Peace of Mind when heading out for that next long trip.

Posted June 12th, 2014