How to Check Your Car Before a Road Trip
Did you know that the summer months are the most dangerous times of the year for car accidents? And that many common accidents can be prevented by having your car regularly maintained? This is especially important during summer when people are more likely to be headed out on the road to make use of that beautiful weather. That’s why we’re providing a guide on how to check your care before a road trip so you can keep yourself and all your passengers safe.
What to Check in a Car Before a Road Trip
Now that we’ve answered the question ‘should I get my car checked before a road trip’ it’s time to determine what to check in a car before a road trip.
This following list isn’t comprehensive, but it’s a good starting point and features the essentials of what you should check in a car before a road trip.
Tires
You’ll want to check your tire pressure and make sure there’s not punctures or holes. You’ll also want to take a look at the tire treads.
Lights
Malfunctioning lights aren’t just dangerous, but will also get you pulled over by traffic enforcement and potentially net you a nasty ticket. You’ll want to check your:
- Headlights
- Turn signals
- Brake lights
- Hazard lights
- Reverse lights
Make sure they’re all working before you set off.
A/C
This is especially important during summer – nothing can ruin a good road trip like being stuck in a boiling hot car the entire time. You probably haven’t had a reason to use your air conditioning in a few months, so it’s a good idea to test it for a few hours at some point before leaving to make sure it’s working.
Oil
You’ll want to make sure that the oil has been changed recently (as scheduled). This is always good practice, but it’s especially important before you set off on your trip as the last thing you need is your car having a major issue like complete engine failure (which will happen if you go too long without an oil change).
Fluids
In Canada, we’re all too familiar with sudden weather shifts. That’s why making sure you have antifreeze/coolant loaded up is so important. You’ll also want to check for windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, and any other essential fluids your car may have.
Brakes
Naturally, your brakes functioning as they’re supposed to is critically important to keeping you safe on the road. Keep an ear trained on them; if you hear a scraping or squeaking sound, it’s probably time to replace your brake pads.
Tire Change Deals
Now, new tires can be expensive. The good news is, however, that we offer seasonal tire change deals, so you can save on your new tires and make sure your car is road ready for a long time.
And that’s not all – while you’re at our car services shop, feel free to take advantage of our other car service deals and promotions:
- Free Battery Test
- Complimentary Car Inspection
- Free Tire Rotation
Should I Get My Car Checked Before a Road Trip?
The obvious place to start in this guide is asking yourself the question ‘should I get my car checked before a road trip?’
You should always at least do a quick overview of your vehicle, especially on longer journeys.
You should try and perform a quick assessment of your car to make sure it’s road ready. The last thing you need, after all, is for your vehicle to fail you on the highway or in the middle of an area you’re not familiar with and far from help.
Learn more about your vehicle from the experts at The Mufflerman – stay safe out there:
If your car hasn’t been to an auto service centre in some time, you may want to consider having professionals take a look at your vehicle. That way, you can guarantee that it’s in good working order and able to handle the rigours and demands of the road.
How to Check Your Car Before a Road Trip
The best way to make sure that your car is ready for your road trip is to take it in to get serviced by professionals. And there are no better car mechanics than those at The Mufflerman – we’ll take a look at your car to make sure that it’s working as it should.
The Mufflerman has car services centers operating across Ontario so you can get fast, affordable, and expert car servicing. Just google ‘ car service near me’ to find your local tire repair shop:
For a limited Time Only
FREE Battery Test with Report
We'll perform a full inspection of the health of your battery.
For a limited time only
FREE Complimentary Inspection
We'll do a check over your entire car to make sure you're road safe.
Get Road Trip Ready
How to Check Your Car Before a Road Trip?
Don’t risk your safety by driving on a car that’s not ready for the road – it’s never worth it. And you can probably get your car checked out for a lower price than you think. Have your car inspected at the Mufflerman’s car service shops. That way, you can know the job was done right, honestly, and cost-effectively.
Our teams are made up of professional, experienced mechanics who can help you with all your car service needs – tires, brakes, and whatever else may be impacting your car. Better yet, we’re able to point out the undiscovered problems that other mechanics might miss so you can guarantee that your car is roadworthy. We explain all our work in detail and provide transparent billing – you’ll never face extra or hidden charges.
Google ‘mechanic near me’, ‘auto shop near me’ ‘Tire service near me’, or ‘Mufflerman near me’ to find your nearest expert car mechanics.
