My family has a couple of trips planned at the beginning of April and at the beginning of June. We will be driving to our destinations in Florida and Wyoming. Yesterday, my wife and I took our 2 vehicles to be serviced. That was $200 well spent because we’d much rather be proactive than reactive when it comes to our vehicles. Tires checked, oil changed, wipers replaced and 25 other inspection points checked for our peace of mind. I researched a few sites to see what else we might need to have inspected before we hit the road. I found Firestone to have some great suggestions.
Firestone Suggestions
1. The Exhaust System
The Exhaust system is not something that comes to mind when I’m maintaining my vehicle. Firestone explains why with this:
A faulty exhaust system could mean poor fuel efficiency, decreased power, and sometimes, improper venting of the poisonous gases that your engine produces.
If you’ve been hearing engine noises like popping and hissing, checking your exhaust system is vital to road trip success. The noises could signal problems with the exhaust manifold, muffler, tailpipe, or catalytic converter.
And if you’re not hearing engine noises? It’s still a good idea to have a technician look at your car’s exhaust system before a long trip.
2. The Steering and Suspension
I’ve driven vehicles that have had one or both issues. For one thing, it is unsafe having poor steering. The second thing, bad suspensoin makes for a very uncomfortable ride. What Firestone says is:
Loose steering parts, damaged shocks or struts, broken or worn-out mounts or bushings, and vehicle swaying or bouncing could throw a wrench in your summer plans—and make for a really bumpy trip.
Before you hit the road, point your dash in the direction of a professional who can examine your car’s steering and suspension system to ensure a smooth ride to your vacation destination.
3. Tires and Alignment
On the previous oil change for my wife’s car, I had the tires rotated. I usually do this every other oil change. I just had my truck’s tires rotated at Discount Tires, where I purchased my tires last year and receive a free rotation for the life of the tires. Also, have your spare checked out too. If you’re driving a vehicle 5 plus years old, then you may want to make sure your spare has not dry-rotted. It can happen. Firestone adds this:
Getting a flat tire is one of the most common reasons that drivers call roadside assistance. To help prevent a flat-tire disaster, ask a trained technician to inspect your alignment and tires, including the spare.
Among other things, a tire check includes a look at:
- Tire Pressure: Is the tire pressure set to what’s recommended in your owner’s manual? An under- or overinflated tire can lead to a variety of issues, such as a bumpy ride, premature wear, overheating and, worst of all, a tire blowout.
- Tire Wear: Is your tire tread in good condition? Are the tire wear patterns uneven? You can’t depend on your tires if the tread isn’t deep enough or there’s too much wear to gain traction on the road.
A tire inspection could also reveal misalignment, which can decrease the lifespan of your tires and reduce fuel efficiency.
4. Braking System
Most of us think our brakes are going bad when we hear the grinding or loud squealing sounds. However, most times we can feel when our brakes are not performing like they should. Slamming on your brakes and your vehicle is taking longer than usual to stop is very good indicator that your brakes should be checked. According to Firestone:
The braking system is one of the most critical safety features of your car. But like many other car parts, it can overheat and put your family at risk—especially if it hasn’t been serviced in a while.
Make sure the braking system is in tip-top shape before you and your family hop in the car and head out for a summer drive. You never know what kind of conditions you might encounter on a long road trip, from stop-and-go city traffic to animals crossing the desert highway.
A thorough brake check can get to the bottom of brake warning signs like grinding, squeaking, steering-wheel shaking, and sponginess when the brake pedal is applied. This includes an examination of the brake pads, rotors, drums, hoses, and brake fluid.
5. General Maintenance
I highlighted most of this in my opening paragraph. Oil changes, battery inspection, filters for air/cabin/fuel, spark plugs are essentials for peace of mind on a daily basis for your vehicle and especially for vacations. I would also suggest a radiator flush and new coolant added along with an air conditioning/heat check.
I also found the YouTube channel “Roadshow” to be a great source of information for getting ready to hit the open road:
And finally, with gas prices rising, make sure you check out Gas Buddy for your big vacations to help you find the cheapest places for refueling. The site even has a blog where they documented the savings of their readers:
“GasBuddy Mathew Ansel works as an auto mechanic just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has a lifetime GasBack Rewards savings of $680.53. Ansel said he used to commute about 60 miles to work and had to fuel up practically every day; now, it’s about twice a week. Filling up so frequently, Ansel said saving money on gas became super important to him.”
I hope this may help before you take off for your upcoming trips. let me know other things I may have left out of these essentials.
Be blessed and safe travels!!!
