Summer is the biggest road trip season of the year. The weather is nice, kids are out of school and many tourist destinations are in prime season. But before you head off on the open road, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good condition, either by performing some simple maintenance yourself or by visiting a trusted BMW repair shop in Conway, AR.
With this in mind, here are a few checks you should make to your vehicle to ensure it’s running smoothly before you leave for your big summer road trip:
- Check all fluids: The very first thing you should do is check the oil, coolant, windshield wiper fluid and brake fluid. Top off these fluids as needed. If you are unsure where the fluid reservoirs are located, you can check your owner’s manual.
- Tire pressure: The proper tire pressure recommended for your tires will either be printed in your owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the door jamb. Keep in mind that the pressure marked on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure—you should never go beyond that amount. In addition, check the pressure of your spare tire, as you never know when you’ll need it.
- Change your oil: If you need to, get your oil changed before you leave. If you recently had your oil changed already, you can ignore this, but otherwise it can be helpful to have new oil in your vehicle before you head off on a long road trip.
- Check tire wear: You want to make sure all of your tires are in good condition before you need to rely on them for a long road trip. Use a penny or tread gauge to check the wear of the treads. There should be at least a sixteenth of an inch of tread left. If you insert the penny with Lincoln’s head down and can still see his head in the tread, that means the tire has worn down too far and should be replaced.
- Check air filters: You can check the filters to both your engine and your cabin. Clean air to the engine improves its performance and efficiency, and clean air to your cabin increases the air quality you and your family are breathing inside the vehicle.
- Wash the car: Your car is going to get dirty on the road trip, so you may as well start with a clean slate. You should at the very least clean off your windows for the best possible visibility levels.
- Check the lights: Make sure all lights and signals are fully functional before you take your car on a long road trip. If bulbs need to be replaced, make those swaps before you head out on your trip.
- Replenish emergency supplies: You should always keep emergency equipment inside your vehicle, including a spare tire, first aid kit and tools like a wrench, pliers, screwdriver and flashlight.
For more information about how to prepare for a long road trip, contact our BMW repair shop in Conway, AR.