Road Trip!

What a long, strange spring it’s been. You’ve had enough exposure to droning work presentations on Zoom and how much your roommate wriggles their toes when they are nervous, which is apparently all the time. Stuck at home with open roads beckoning from just outside your door, it is now the time to make a (socially distanced, of course) leap into the car and broader horizons!  

Most people remember their favorite hat and sunglasses, but forget about the condition of a road trip essential—the automobile! A preventable breakdown can be a real drag on your summer fun. We want you to make sure your vehicle is ready to go so that your view consists of the open road, not the inside of a tow truck.

Fluids

The lifeblood of your vehicle, fluids deteriorate over time and need service at varying intervals. To make sure your car is ready for the increased demands of a long, summer trip, check motor oil, radiator, brake, power steering, and transmission fluid levels. All of these need to be clear, clean, and serviced at the proper intervals. We can keep track of all of this, so all you have to do is get a sloshing barrel of soda with an oversized straw to keep your fluid level up.

Tires

Tire pressure trouble causes uneven wear, shortening the lifespan of your tires and wrecking handling ability. Make sure tires are properly inflated and check pressure every 1,000 miles while you are out on the road. Also, be sure there is plenty of tread on them. You can use the penny trick—if you see the top of Lincoln’s head when you place the penny head-down into a groove, you need new tires before heading out.  

General Maintenance

• Brakes: Brake pads can last anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles. You can usually hear or feel when they start to wear out, and regular service will give you plenty of lead time to decide when pad or rotor replacement is necessary.
  
• Air Filters: Debris, dust, insects—the road is not the cleanest environment. Replacing your filters before they reach capacity improves engine performance, fuel economy, and interior air quality.
  
• Light Bulbs: A burnt-out headlight, taillight, or blinker is an invitation to get pulled over, or, worse, cause an accident. Make sure all lights are working correctly before you hit the road, Jack.
  
• Belts and Hoses: A physical examination can help. Look for cracking, fraying, or missing teeth on belts. Check that there is no looseness. Of course, these are the types of examinations that we do when you bring it in for regular service, or in preparation for your big trip! You need a reliable expert to let you know when a belt or hose is living on borrowed time.

The open road, your hair tousled by the summer breeze, music playing your Summer Hits of the 2000s playlist—you are ready for vacation, but is your car? Our team is staffed with skilled customer service professionals and highly trained mechanics dedicated to ensuring you have a perfectly-running vehicle. Call Bender’s Auto Care at 626-332-3022 or request an appointment online today!