Summer is in full swing and that means you probably have at least one road trip coming in your near future. Road trips can take a lot of planning, especially if you’re headed across the country. But even day trips take some advance planning. You’ve got to plan for food along the way, and pack up anything you might need when you get to where you’re going. However, sometimes, people overlook the most important part of road trip planning: their vehicle. This can be a big oversight.
Give Your Vehicle a Thorough Check
No matter where you’re going and what you plan on doing when you get there, you first have to arrive to your destination safely. And if your car isn’t in prime operating condition, then you might not make it there, or back. So when you plan a road trip make sure you take some time to plan for your vehicle’s safe and reliable operation, too. Here are some of the most important things to remember when getting your vehicle ready for a road trip.
Start Under the Hood – everything starts and ends with the engine. So that’s the best place to start. But don’t stop there. You should actually check everything under your hood, including:
- Oil
- Cooling system
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Wiper fluid
- Steering fluid
- Look for leaks
- Cracked hoses
The bottom line is you don’t want to miss anything that could end up leaving you stranded on the side of the road. There are a lot of working parts, so having the experts at a trusted Vancouver auto repair shop do this work for you is a good option if you don’t have the time. at Hoesly Automotive, we’ll service your vehicle and make sure it’s primed for the entire summer driving season.
Check the Outside – after you’ve taken a good look under the hood now it’s time to focus on the outside of the vehicle. Inspect your tires and wheels and make sure all your lights are working. It’s a good idea to check your wiper blades, as well, just in case you encounter unexpected bad weather.
Brakes, Suspension and Steering – next up, make sure to check on your brakes, your steering and your suspension. Be sure all of these key components are working properly. If they aren’t then get your vehicle in for some service at Hoesly Automotive before you head out on the road. If we find any problems with any of these parts we’ll get them taken care of and get you on your way, and safely back on the road for summer adventure.
Your Battery – yes, your battery is under the hood, but you might not notice it when you’re checking everything else. However, before you leave on a summer road trip it’s a good time to check your battery to make sure it’s fully charged. Nothing puts a damper on a road trip like a dead battery.
Let Hoesly Help Keep Your Summer Safe
Summer road trips are great. They can be a lot of fun as you explore new adventures and discover amazing places with your loved ones. So don’t let car problems spoil the fun. Get your car, truck, crossover, or SUV into Hoesly Automotive before you head out on the road for summer fun. Our experienced technicians will make sure you can rely on your vehicle to get you wherever you’re going, and then back home safe again.
Schedule your appointment online or just give us a call today at 360-695-5871. We are your trusted and reliable Vancouver auto repair shop for all of your auto repair needs.