Are you taking a big road trip this summer? Good for you! A vacation can give you and your loved ones a whole new perspective!
Getting away for a while will recharge you, giving you a well-deserved break while treating you to new sights, sounds, and experiences. When you come back, you’ll feel refreshed and renewed thanks to the change of scenery, not to mention the new routine (or better yet, lack of a routine!) you’ll adopt while getting to know new places.
Simply put, road trips are good for your soul!
You’ll be able to relax better and fully enjoy your trip if you know that your vehicle is in top shape. Before you take off for faraway destinations, take your vehicle to your auto mechanic for routine maintenance. That way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your car will safely get you from Point A to Point B (and back again), without stranding you somewhere in between.
These are some of the routine car maintenance jobs your auto mechanic can take care of before you leave for your summer vacation.
Change The Oil
Oil is very important to the performance and longevity of your car’s engine. It lubricates different components, keeping everything cool and running smoothly in this otherwise super hot environment. If you don’t have enough oil, or if the oil is dirty from overuse, your engine can overheat. Or, parts can wear down prematurely. To prevent this, have your oil changed regularly. If it’s been a while since this job was done, be sure to get it done before your trip. This is also a great opportunity for your mechanic to change any filters that are dirty and require replacement.
Perform A Tune-up
Your engine is a fine-tuned precision instrument! It will benefit from periodic vehicle tune-ups that check its operation and enable minor adjustments to be made for improved performance. Your auto mechanic can complete all tune-up jobs, including topping off fluids and changing filters, before you go on vacation.
Rotate The Tires
A road trip can take a lot out of your tires. Having your tires rotated is one way to keep them going strong longer. The practice of tire rotation moves them around from one position to another so that they wear more evenly over time, in turn, extending the use of your tires. Since they’ll get plenty of wear during your road trip, check with your mechanic beforehand to see if it’s time to rotate your tires.
Service Your Cooling System
Especially on a summer road trip, you will need your vehicle’s air conditioning system to work properly to keep everyone in the car cool and comfortable during the ride. Have your auto mechanic check the cooling system to ensure everything’s in order. This is also a good time to have the radiator checked and perform any needed maintenance or repairs to prevent your car from overheating at any point during your trip.
Check For Cracked Hoses
Your mechanic will search for signs of leaks due to cracked hoses or components that aren’t connected properly. These can be changed out for new parts so that your engine runs smoothly and you don’t lose any essential fluids.
See What Your “Check Engine” Light Is Trying To Tell You
Has your check-engine light been on for a while? Your car’s sensors are probably trying to tell you something! It could be that you’re low on oil or other fluids your engine needs to operate reliably. The light could also point to issues with the spark plugs, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, or any number of other engine components.
If you don’t have your engine checked, you can experience many types of issues including a rough idle, lower fuel mileage, and difficulty starting your car. Don’t take chances; bring your car into your mechanic to determine what’s wrong and fix it before it turns into a bigger, more expensive problem.
Check And Repair Other Issues
In addition to performing routine maintenance tasks, like taking care of an oil change and making sure your cooling system is in order, your mechanic can check and fix bigger issues you may or may not be aware of. There may be timing belt issues, head gasket problems, or other engine troubles that can lead to everything from sluggish acceleration (not a good thing when you’re driving on the freeway) to a decrease in fuel efficiency. Your mechanic can check all systems to see what repairs should (or must) be taken care of before you leave for your big trip.
Metric Motors Is Here To Help
If you live in Loveland, CO or any of the neighboring communities, turn to Metric Motors for all your tune-up and car maintenance needs. We’ve been in business since 1976, and our auto mechanics are highly experienced in all makes and models of vehicles. Before you hit the road, schedule your appointment with us for your peace of mind! Get in touch with Metric Motors today.
