Avoid Road Trip Nightmares With The Vehicle Maintenance Tips

With vacation season upon us, many of us are going to be headed across country to visit friends and family, pursue hobbies or simply enjoy a classic, American, Road Trip. There’s no better feeling than being out on the open road, with the radio on full volume and the wind in your hair, nothing around for miles and miles except you, your friends, and your car. That is until you see steam streaming out from under your bonnet, your vehicle loses power, and you have to wait at the side of the road for hours until a good samaritan comes along to help you. Fortunately, with a little planning ahead you should be able to avoid ending up in this situation. The team at Amsoil Dealer – All Service Oil have put together this great guide to vehicle maintenance tips to carry out before heading on a road trip.

Check Your Engine Cooling System

The engine overheating is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down. This is particularly true during warm summer weather and long road trips when your engine is under a lot of stress. To make sure that your engine cooling system is in tip-top condition, check that there is enough coolant liquid in the system, then check for any leaks that could be causing the system to fail. Next, take a look at the radiator – clean or replace radiator blades if they are grubby or damaged and ensure that the fan belt doesn’t need replacing. Finally, check the thermostat and ensure that it is responding properly to changes in temperature. Did you know that the quality of your engine oil can affect the temperature of your engine? Synthetic oil provides better lubrication at higher temperatures by reducing the heat produced by friction and therefore making it less likely that your engine will overheat. It is important to give your engine a synthetic oil change at regular intervals. Call your local Amsoil Dealer – All Service Oil at (763) 257-3130 to get the best synthetic oil for your car.

Take Care of Your Tires

We all had it drummed into us by our parents when we were learning to drive – ‘check your tire pressure before any long journey.' We hate to admit it, but they were right. It’s really important to check tire pressure so to distribute the weight of your car evenly across all four tires. This increases fuel efficiency and, as Bridgestone Tires note, can reduce the wear your tires experience. Further, be sure always to check that there is enough tread left on the tires to ensure stability. You can do this with a quarter – place it upside down in the tread, if you can see George Washington, you need new tires. You should also ensure always to keep a spare, new tire in your vehicle, along with a jack and a wrench so that if one tire fails you can quickly and easily replace it.

Give Your Car A Brake

Brakes are arguably the most important safety feature included in your vehicle. If they are not correctly adjusted, this can lead to a number of problems. If your brakes are too loose and fail to respond properly, this can result in an accident that could be dangerous for you and your passengers as well as others. If your brakes are too tight, they can cause extra friction and reduce fuel efficiency. You can tell if your brakes are starting to wear out by looking for a few tell-tale signs:

• Squealing sound when braking
• Increased braking distances
• Difficulty steering while braking

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your vehicle in for a service by a mechanic before setting off on your vacation.

Upgrade Your Oil

Engine oil provides lubrication, which reduces heat and friction in your engine. This helps prevent overheating issues and unnecessary breakdowns. It also protects against corrosion, wear, and tear, and increases your engine’s lifetime. Synthetic oils provide superior lubrication and protection at higher temperatures in contrast to conventional oils. This is important when planning a long, hot road trip covering many miles in the same vehicle. Synthetic oils also last longer, reducing the frequency with which they need to be changed so are a cost-effective option.

Keep Your Car Driving for Longer with a Synthetic Oil Change in Ham Lake

To give your engine the best care possible and to avoid any road trip nightmares, call your local Amsoil Dealer – All Service Oil at (763) 257-3130 to get a high-quality engine lubricant for your next synthetic oil change.