At Jessup Auto Plaza, we understand how eager you are to hit the road this summer, especially after being cooped up during one of the most challenging times in recent history. Nevertheless, you’ll want your car to be in tip-top shape before planning any long-distance trips. Here are a few tips to help you get ready for a summer of fun, carefree driving.
Check Your A/C System
The last place you want to be on a long road trip is inside a vehicle with a broken air conditioner. Even if your car’s A/C system is blowing ice-cold air perfectly, a quick inspection by a trusted and certified mechanic will give you greater peace of mind on the open road.
If you’re getting nothing but lukewarm air out of your air vents even with the A/C at full blast, then it’s likely the system is low on refrigerant. Although you could add more refrigerant yourself, a certified automotive A/C specialist will have better tools for refilling the A/C system. In addition, your A/C specialist will thoroughly check your system for leaks and keep tabs on critical components like the compressor and condenser.
Inspect the Tires
You’ll also want to take a close look at your tires before setting off on any summertime road trip. Start by checking the tread depth with either a proper tread depth gauge or an ordinary penny. Insert the penny upside-down between the grooves and check the tread. If you can see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head, then it’s time for new tires.
Next, you’ll want to check your tires’ physical condition. Cracks on the tire sidewall, cracks or missing chunks in the tread, and/or a chalky, faded appearance are all possible signs of dry rot – a common problem as tires age and lose their UV protection as the years and mileage add up. Driving on a completely flat tire or even one that’s underinflated to a noticeable degree can also cause cracked sidewalls. If your tires show any of the above signs of damage, have them replaced as soon as possible.
Finally, make sure your tires are properly inflated to the pressures recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. You’ll find this information in your vehicle owner’s manual as well as the information placard on the driver’s side door jamb. Fortunately, newer vehicles often have tire pressure monitoring capabilities, which should make checking and properly airing your tires much easier.
Check and Top Off Fluids
Another thing you’ll want to do before going anywhere is checking and, when necessary, topping off your vehicle’s fluids. The first fluid you’ll want to check is the most crucial – your engine oil. Open the hood and locate your vehicle’s oil dipstick. Remove the dipstick and make sure the oil is at the correct level. Take note of the oil’s color – fresh oil is usually a light-brown or light-amber color, whereas dirty oil is much darker and sometimes even smells faintly of gasoline.
Next, check the engine coolant. In addition to checking for the correct fluid level, check the condition of the fluid itself. If fluid looks greasy, contains large amounts of sediment or has a strange color (depending on the type of coolant your vehicle uses), then have your mechanic perform a coolant system flush. Don’t forget to check your brake fluid and power steering fluid, while you’re at it.
If possible, make sure the transmission fluid is at the correct level. Keep in mind that many modern transmissions are “sealed for life” and thus lack a dipstick for reading fluid levels. Some vehicles offer a readout of transmission fluid levels and temperatures on the driver information screen while others require a trip to the dealer for a proper check-up.
Check Your Brakes
If you can see your vehicle’s brake calipers through the wheel spokes, then perform a quick visual inspection and make sure there’s ample material left on each brake pad. Also, make sure the brake disc and calipers are free of any visual damage or deformities. If you hear any squealing, rumbling, or grinding noises when coming to a stop, then your brakes may be too worn to handle a long road trip. A trained and certified mechanic can easily perform a deeper inspection of your brake system.
Replace Those Filters
When was the last time you checked or changed your engine air filter? If it’s been more than 15,000 miles or if you’re seeing a noticeable drop in performance or fuel economy, then it’s about time for a visual inspection. An excessively dirty or clogged engine air filter can starve your engine of fresh air, leading to sluggish engine performance, poor fuel economy, and even catastrophic damage to the engine itself.
If your car comes equipped with a cabin air filter, take this time to check and, if necessary, replace it. A dirty cabin air filter not only reduces the flow of fresh air into the cabin but can also cause unwanted cabin odors. The location of the cabin air filter varies depending on the vehicle's make and model. Fortunately, a quick glance at your vehicle owner’s manual will tell you exactly where to find the cabin air filter, as well as the right part number for the replacement.
Inspect Your Wipers
If you haven’t checked your car’s windshield wiper blades this season, now’s a good time to do just that. Check the wipers for any signs of physical damage or decay, including cracks, splits, and oxidation. Damaged or deteriorated wiper blades are nowhere near as effective at clearing your windshield as a fresh set. Don’t forget to check the wiper arms themselves for corrosion and physical damage, since damaged wiper arms can keep your windshield from being cleared properly.