If you're prepping to go on a road trip, you need to be sure that your vehicle is ready for the journey. An unmaintained vehicle could be the difference between a good trip and a trip that goes south really quickly. Here at Westerville Automotive, we want to remind you of some things to do so you and your vehicle are ready for the road.
1. Get a Pre-Trip Mechanical Inspection - Is it overkill to have a technician give your car a pre-trip once over? Not if it saves you from disaster on the road, and we'd rather be safe than sorry. Here at Westerville Automotive, our mechanics should be able to identify any significant components that are on their last legs. Even if your car comes back with a clean bill of health, there's a lot of value in having that peace of mind.
2. Get an Oil Change - There are roughly two kinds of drivers in the world: you're either on top of your oil changes and have them done by the book, or you can't remember when your last oil change was -- "but my car's running fine!" Now, if you're in the first category, you were probably already thinking about the oil situation, but we'll say it anyway: unless you recently had an oil change, it's always a good idea to get a fresh one before a long trip. You should have the oil change done at a location you trust, like ours here at Westerville Automotive. The best policy is to get that pre-trip oil change, just to be safe, and then do your best to keep track of when it's time for the next one.
3. Pack a Tire Pressure Gauge - If you have that pre-trip inspection performed, our technicians will likely check your tire pressures and add air if they're low. You should also ask us to assess the "tread life" of the tire, meaning the number of miles left before you need new rubber, and make sure that number easily exceeds what you're about to cover on the trip. We also recommend picking up a simple tire pressure gauge and stashing it in your glovebox before you depart. We think a responsible interval for checking your tires would be every 1,000 miles or so. If you notice pressure losses of more than a few psi between checks, please don't take this lightly.
We hope that these few tips have served as a great reminder as to what to do before you plan a trip for the road. If you have any questions about whether your vehicle is ready or need advice on what maintenance your vehicle might need, reach out to us. Our technicians here at Westerville Automotive in Westerville would be happy to assist you!
