Car Maintenance Tips for Holiday Travel

It is hard to believe but the holiday season is right around the corner.  For many of us the holiday season also means getting in the car and taking a road trip to see family.   Sometimes we do this more than once in a months time.  Whether it’s 250 miles or 2500 miles there are certain things you need to do to insure your car is in tip top  condition and safe.  So what kind of car maintenance is necessary for holiday travel?  Below are a few tips.    Now, some of these tips can and should be done a week or two in advance, don’t leave for the last minute in case a repair is needed.  There is no reason to start off a road trip with the stress of finding out your car isn’t safe to travel and you need to be at your family tomorrow!  In addition, a lot of people wait until the last minute and your mechanic may be unable to even get to your car before closing for the holiday.

So what are some basic maintenance items that should be on your list?

• Oil/Filter change – if you are approaching the time for an oil change have it done , there is no reason to not stay ahead of it
• Full inspection of car for mechanical issues such as brakes
• Check all lines and hoses for leaks
• Check air filter for heat/ac
• Make sure all your bells and whistles are working – such as recharging statio12v outlets, a fuse may be needed and you don’t want to find that out when your phone is in the red
• Make sure GPS is working correctly

The list above should get you started, more to come in next weeks blog!  Let’s be safe out there everyone.