Here we are, summer vacation is finally coming. With them, travel, the sun, the beach or the mountains but also the many departures and long journeys by car. Indeed, taking your car to go on vacation still appears to be the cheapest way to reach your destination. If this is the option you have chosen, here are some guidelines to prepare your vehicle well for the long hours of travel until the holidays.
The first thing to do is to check the current condition of your car, including the technical inspection or overhaul if the dates "fall" during the holidays or just after. In this kind of case, it is better to take the lead and carry out these steps before departure in order to leave more serenely with a vehicle controlled by a professional. In addition, if noise or a detail worries you about your vehicle, do not hesitate to have it checked by a mechanic. Indeed, an insignificant noise can sometimes spoil your vacation with a car immobilized on the side.
If the service and the technical control are not to be done and nothing seems worrying about your vehicle, here are some small checks to do yourself before setting off on vacation.
As often, the tires should be checked as a priority as their role in terms of safety and performance is important. Several factors can influence the tires, such as the km traveled, the vehicle load, or even the weather conditions. In addition, your tires have a good chance of facing these three factors at the same time on the road of the holidays with a long trip under the sun and the heat in anticipation to which is added the weight of the suitcases and the passengers. If the tires are too worn then there is a risk of loss of grip and therefore difficult or even dangerous driving. In addition, if inflation is seen to be imperfect, they can overheat quickly and then burst. An under-inflated tire can also lead to a 10% increase in fuel consumption. Also monitor the presence of scratches, tears or objects encrusted on the tire. It is therefore advisable to check and/or change your tires before setting off.
Once your tires have been checked, it's time to lift the hood and check your levels. The brake fluid level should therefore be as close as possible to the maximum, although a level between the minimum and the maximum is not worrying. It is thus simply necessary to top up. On the other hand, if the brake fluid level is below the minimum then calling a mechanic is strongly recommended because this may reveal a problem with the braking system.
Then check the levels of:
If you are driving in hot weather then your engine may have a little trouble cooling down. It is therefore important to check your coolant because in the event of a leak, your engine could well overheat.
Another recommendation is to check the condition of your shock absorbers before going on vacation. Indeed they are often forgotten and yet on long journeys shock absorbers in poor condition can affect your comfort and the handling of the vehicle. In addition, worn shock absorbers considerably lengthen braking distances. Thus, before starting a trip in your car, it is imperative to check your shock absorbers. If they wear out, they should be replaced at your dealer.
And voila, by following all these tips you should be able to avoid the pitfalls of long summer trips for the holidays, there will only be traffic jams to anticipate when planning your departure.
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