With the summer season out in full force, most homeowners are looking forward to holidays and outdoor experiences. And of course, these translate into more driving, and unlike your regular commute to work, this is of the long-distance type. As such, it is very important that your vehicle is in good condition and ready for the vacations – or you will find yourself at the side of a highway with a broken down car and disgruntled family members. To prevent this maintenance is key – and a few tips could easily help you keep your car in good condition:
Check the tyres – one of the most visible signs of issues can be seen in the tyres, and yet, they often tend to be overlooked during regular vehicle inspections. This is why you should take a good look at your tyres before you drive out of the house. Make sure that your tyres are properly inflated – neither too much nor too less – and that they are properly aligned. You also need to make sure that your tyres are not overly worn – the treads should still be clear and deep enough to maintain good traction.
Check the brakes – another important point of maintenance is the braking system of your vehicle. Poorly functioning brakes are a safety hazard that can easily cost you (or your passengers’ lives), so make sure to pay proper attention to your brakes. There are many signs that indicate a need for proper brake pad replacement, but generally, abnormal noises and an increase in either the effort or the time needed to implement the brakes tell you something is wrong.
Check the windshield’s wipers – you might not pay as much attention as you pay to disc brakes Australia when it comes to wipers, but the truth is that you probably should think about these a bit more. Why? You might expect downpours in summer, but the truth is that summer storms can get quite vicious, and if you do not have good wipers, you will hardly be able to drive. The problem here is that after an entire year of autumn, winter and spring rains, snow and dust, your wipers have probably degraded to a considerable degree, and might not perform as well as you would want them to. Invest in a good set of wipers before your vacation.
Check the radiator and the coolant – this is one of the aspects of the vehicle that you are taught to frequently check on, and the need to do so is especially present during the hot summer months. These two components of your vehicle are responsible for maintaining the temperature of your engine and preventing it from overheating, so they perform a very important job. You need to make sure there is enough fluid to go around the cooling system, and you also have to flush out the fluids and renew them biannually.