Schedule a Thanksgiving Tune-Up Before You Hit the Road for the Holidays
Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house you go.
Unless all the hubbub of the season caused you to forget the maintenance that your car needs!
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season and, like many Americans, you may be traveling to spend time with far-away family.
Your trip to Grandmother’s house could turn into a real bummer if your vehicle breaks down halfway there!
Here’s what your qualified mechanic will be doing to your car to make sure it’s holiday road-ready.
Check the oil
Driving longer than recommended without an oil change can cause serious damage to your engine.
Your owner’s manual will let you know how often yours needs to be changed and your mechanic will know the best oil to use for the season.
Because cold weather causes motor oil to thicken, your mechanic may suggest a different weight for the season.
Check the air filter
The air filter’s job is to keep impurities from getting into your engine and causing harm.
Not only does it protect your engine from contaminants, it also improves your vehicle’s gas mileage, which is important when you do a lot of holiday traveling.
Check the tires
Your tires are the most important thing between your family and the road!
You can check the air pressure and tread depth of your tires monthly, on your own.
Check for bulges, irregular wear, and any cuts or tears near the valve stems.
However, you should have them looked at by a pro at least once a year, including the alignment.
Check the fluid levels
Your vehicle requires a lot of fluids to run properly.
When it goes in for a tune-up, your mechanic will be looking at:
- Transmission fluid.
- Brake fluid.
- Windshield washer fluid.
- Power steering fluid.
- Coolant.
Cold weather can affect each of these fluids differently and maintaining the proper levels is vital to get the most out of your car.
Trust the pros
While there are some maintenance tasks that you can do on your own, it’s important that you treat your vehicle to a tune-up with an expert mechanic at least once a year.
Consider doing it before your holiday travels.
You won’t have to worry while you’re on the road and you’ll always remember when it’s time for a check-up.
