How To Get Your Car Ready For A Summer Road Trip

With summer comes an increased number of family vacations and road trips across America. If you and your family are planning an epic drive across the country, make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip ahead. Nothing is worse than breaking down or having serious car problems when you are thousands of miles away from home. As your local shop for German auto repair in Denver, we specialize in helping our clients keep their German-made vehicles in tip-top shape. We want you to be able to take your vehicle on any trip without concern for the safety of you and your passengers.

If you are gearing up for a summer road trip, make sure you stop by our German car repair shop and talk to our expert team about how we can help. Read on to learn more about the things you should do to prepare for your upcoming road trip.

Change The Oil & Other Basics

It should go without saying but if you plan to put thousands of miles on your vehicle on a cross-country road trip, make sure you cover the basics and have things attended to before you go, such as changing your oil. Along with a quick oil change, the following basics should be covered before you ever hit the road:

• Transmission fluid: Make sure that your transmission fluid has been checked by a professional before you take off. Not only should you have high enough levels of fluid in your vehicle, a car mechanic can also let you know if your vehicle is due for a transmission flush.
• Spark plugs: If you haven’t had your vehicle tuned-up in a good number of miles, it might be time to take care of important replacements, such as your spark plugs. This can not only keep your car running, it can help improve your gas mileage on the road.
• Battery test: Nothing is worse than getting up one morning on your trip and realizing your car won’t start because your battery is dead. Make sure your battery is functioning at peak performance before you hit the road.
• Windshield wiper fluid: While this isn’t as critical to the operation of your vehicle, having a reservoir full of windshield wiper fluid will contribute to your safety on the road. Make sure you have some extra fluid in your trunk too, just in case you run into a large number of thunderstorms or bug swarms along the way.

Schedule Routine Maintenance Tasks

Have you been putting off some of your bigger vehicle maintenance tasks? While getting your oil changed regularly and scheduling quick tune-ups goes a long way in ensuring your vehicle continues to operate smoothly, make sure you also handle bigger maintenance tasks as they arise. Nothing is worse for your vehicle than being pushed on the highway when parts are in need of replacement or repair.

Over time, even the best made German car will face common replacement and maintenance needs. Make sure the following are taken care of if need be before you hit the road:

• • Hoses and belts: With the passage of time and the dry Colorado air, hoses and belts can develop cracks and become brittle. Depending on the age of your car and the number of miles it has been driven, it might be time to replace these rubber parts. Talk to your German car specialist about your vehicle’s unique timeline for the replacement of these components.
  • Brakes: When was the last time you had your brakes inspected? When you let your brakes go too long without replacing the pads and flushing the brake fluid, your safety can be put at risk. Worn out brake pads will no longer protect other brake components and can lead to higher costs when you need to replace the entire brake system. Make sure you keep up with your brakes and schedule a brake inspection before you take any long trips.
  • Cooling system: When you are driving countless miles under the hot summer sun, you want to be sure your cooling system is operating properly. If you haven’t scheduled a radiator flush in a long time, or possibly ever, talk to your trusted German car mechanic about whether or not this service is right for your vehicle.

Inspect Your Tires

When it comes to safe operation, one of the most important things to check is the condition of your tires. When your tires are worn down and no longer provide good tread, you can put yourself and your passengers at risk. Old tires can blow out on the highway, leading to a serious wreck or can cause you to slip and side during a rainstorm.

Make sure you inspect your tires’ tread as well as air pressure levels. If you know your tires are past their prime, invest in a new set before you hit the road. You can also ask your mechanic to check to ensure your tires are balanced and rotated if you are keeping your existing set.

Don’t forget to also check to see if you have a spare tire in your trunk in good condition. If your spare looks like it has seen a better day, don’t risk a long trip without replacing this important backup. Be sure that as well as having a spare tire, you also have all the tools you need to change your tire on the side of the road should you get a flat.

Get Your Safety Gear In Order

Along with having a spare tire and the tools you need to replace a flat, you should also make sure your car is equipped with other important safety gear. Your trunk is the perfect place to store an entire safety kit in case of roadside trouble.

Your kit can include an array of items, including the following:

• • • Reflective warning triangles
    • Flashlight with extra batteries
    • Jumper cables
    • Tow straps
    • Drinking water
    • Snacks
    • Blankets
    • First aid kit

Visit Our German Auto Repair Center In Denver

Before you hit the open road this summer, take the time to stop by our German auto repair shop in Denver to have your car serviced. Our experienced mechanics can look over your vehicle to ensure it is in tip-top condition before you head out. We can help you have a safe and enjoyable trip this summer. Visit us today.