Spring has arrived, the weather is warming up and suddenly that drive to the coast or weekend away sounds much more appealing…but, your car might have other ideas.
After a winter of school runs, commuting and shorter local trips, a longer highway drive can put a different kind of demand on your vehicle. You do not need to dismantle the car in the driveway before every trip, but checking a few basics before you leave can save you from discovering a problem when you are several hundred kilometres from home.
Start Under the Bonnet
Oil, coolant and other fluids are some of the first things worth checking before a longer drive. Low levels, visible leaks or fluids that need attention may point to something worth investigating before you leave. Your battery deserves a look too.
Battery-related problems are a leading cause of roadside assistance callouts, so a battery that has been slow to start or has been behaving strangely is probably not something to ignore before a holiday. If your car is almost due for its regular service, getting it done before the trip can also make more sense than stretching it out until you get home.
It is also worth checking belts and hoses for obvious signs of wear, cracking or leaks. A mechanic can spot issues that are easy to miss at home, particularly around the cooling system before the warmer weather and longer drives put it under more pressure.
Give Your Tyres and Brakes Some TLC
Highway driving means sustained speeds, longer distances and potentially a car full of people, luggage and holiday gear. Check your tyre pressures against the manufacturer’s recommendation, inspect the tyres for damage and make sure there is plenty of tread left. In NSW, tyres need at least 1.5 mm of tread across the area that contacts the road. Don’t forget the spare either!
If you are loading the car with passengers and luggage, check whether the manufacturer recommends a different tyre pressure for a heavier load.
Brakes are just as important. Squealing, grinding, vibrations or a change in the way the brake pedal feels are all reasons to have them checked rather than hoping the problem disappears somewhere along the highway.
Get Ready for Spring Weather
Spring weather has a habit of changing quickly, so check your wiper blades, washer fluid, headlights, brake lights and indicators before heading off. Wipers that smear rather than clear the windscreen usually become much more annoying the moment the rain starts. Give the windscreen a good clean inside and out too. Glare from the spring sun can make smears and marks much more noticeable when you are driving.
Now that the warmer days are returning, test your air conditioning before you actually need it. There are few things less enjoyable than discovering halfway through a hot road trip that your air con has decided to take its own holiday.
Angus Car Service also offers air-conditioning servicing alongside general vehicle servicing and repairs.
Pay Attention to the Little Things
A warning light that appears occasionally, a new rattle, a small leak on the driveway or a strange noise when you turn the wheel can be easy to put off when you are only driving around town. When you are about to embark on a long trip, however, those little signs are worth taking seriously.
They may turn out to be minor, but finding that out at your local workshop is much easier than trying to diagnose the problem at the side of the road halfway through your holiday.
Got a spring road trip coming up? Give your car a little attention before you start packing. The Angus Car Service team can check, service and repair your vehicle before you head away, including brakes, cooling systems, tyres, general repairs and air conditioning. Book your car online and get one more thing crossed off the holiday checklist.
FAQs
Q: What should I check on my car before a road trip?
A: Check your tyres, fluids, battery, brakes, lights, wipers and windscreen before leaving. It is also worth having any warning lights, leaks or unusual noises investigated.
Q: Should I service my car before a long road trip?
A: If your scheduled service is approaching, getting it done before you travel can be a sensible option. A mechanic may also identify worn or damaged parts that are better addressed before a long drive.
Q: Should I check my air conditioning before a spring or summer road trip?
A: Yes. Test your air conditioning before your trip so you have time to investigate poor cooling, unusual smells or other problems before warmer weather arrives.
Q: How should I check my tyres before a road trip?
A: Check the tyre pressure against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation and look for worn tread, cracks, damage or foreign objects. Remember to check the spare tyre as well.
