Tips for prepping your vehicle for a successful spring break trip!
Are you planning to drive south for spring break to enjoy the South Florida beaches? Or are you planning on using the week off to take a drive to visit family or friends?
Here are 5 tips for prepping your vehicle for a spring break road trip:
1.Brakes. Brakes. Brakes.
You’re breaks are one of the most important pieces to ensuring your safety in a vehicle. Some of the indications that your brakes may need to be looked at or replaced include:
- Noises. Are there any noises/screeches when applying the brakes?
- Leaks. Look for any leaks under your vehicle. There’s a chance your brake fluid could be leaking.
If you suspect any issues with your brakes, take your vehicle to your local and trusted automotive shop to have them further inspected. They can check out your brake pads and brake fluid to ensure that you are equip for a safe trip.
2.Top off your fluids.
- Windshield Wiper Fluid
- Engine Oil
- Brake Fluid
- Engine Coolant
- Transmission Fluid
While ensuring these fluids are filled and at their proper levels, make sure you’re keeping an eye out for leaks as well. If there are any leaks, try to identify where they are coming from.
3.Check the A/C Operation
As we are entering into these warmer months, although not necessary, checking your vehicles air conditioning is important in remaining comfortable on your drive. It’s a bad feeling when you get into a hot car and can’t cool it down, especially with the high temperatures in Florida.
4.Check your tires
Tires are quite literally what get you and your vehicle from point A to point B. You can check to ensure your tire pressure is at the manufacturer’s recommendation and check for any tread wear down. In our previous blog, we talked all about tires and how to perform the penny test to determine if your tires need to be replaced or not. Check it out!
5.Wash your vehicle and pack your bags.
While washing your vehicle makes it look better, this can also help in maintaining your vehicle’s exterior finish for a longer period of time.
Once your vehicle is all prepped and clean, pack your bags and have a great time! Don’t forget the snacks and the sunscreen!
If your vehicle has any known problems, or you are suspecting of any issues get them checked out and fixed by a trusted automotive shop before you leave! You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck to start off your vacation.
Even if you’re planning on staying at home for spring break, you could use this time to bring your vehicle in to your local shop to have a routine maintenance updated that you have been putting off whether that be something like an oil change or replacing your windshield wipers. Maintenance on your vehicle is so important in maintaining its longevity, as well as your safety.
If you’re located in the North Central Florida area Transmission Doctor and Auto Care is here to help in any way we can. We hope you all have a great spring break!