3 Auto Maintenance Tasks To Take Care Of Before A Road Trip

15 April 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Share

Going on a road trip is a great experience and can be a nice spur-of-the-moment trip or part of an elaborate planned vacation. Whatever the reason for your road trip, there are a few key maintenance tasks that you will want to have performed on your car by an auto repair shop before you leave. By getting your vehicle tuned-up, your windshield repaired/replaced, and your tires replaced, you can ensure that your road trip is a relaxing experience instead of a nightmare.

Tune-Up

A tune-up is a great idea before any extended road trip because it can improve so many facets of your vehicle's performance. For example, making sure that your car has the air and oil filters replaced can improve your vehicle's gas mileage, which allows you to spend less money on fuel and more on simply having fun on your trip.

Another benefit to a tune-up is that it can reduce any vibration or shaking that your car may be experiencing. This will allow you to drive the vehicle for longer periods on your trip before it gets uncomfortable. A tune-up can also give the repair shop the opportunity to inspect the care for any worrying mechanical issues that could potentially leave you stranded.

Windshield

Another maintenance task to perform before you leave on your road trip is to make sure that your windshield is in good repair. If you have a chip or crack that has not been sealed yet, now would be a good time to get that done. The reason for this is that driving on rough roads can cause an unsealed chip or crack to spread very quickly, and you never know when you will run into rough road conditions on your trip.

In addition, if your windshield has a major crack, it should be replaced before you leave. This is a major safety concern, as a cracked windshield can obstruct your vision and prevent you from noticing road obstacles before it is too late to avoid them.

Tires

Finally, you will also want a shop to inspect your tires prior to leaving for your road trip. One of the reasons for this is that old tires with worn-down treads are more prone to blowouts and flats, which could potentially leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Even if your tires are fairly new and in good condition, you will want to have the tire alignment and pressure checked. Proper tire pressure can provide you with better handling and improved fuel economy, while properly aligned tires can cut down on vehicle vibrations.

Speak to a repair shop like Collins Service Center today in order to take advantage of the many services they offer. A tune-up, properly maintained tires, and a windshield in good repair are all vital to ensuring that you have a safe and reliable vehicle for your trip.