I cannot believe it is December. As we move into the holiday season, I’m reminded of friends and spending time with our families. This usually involves travel. With that being said, is your car ready for long or short trips?
The most important thing to perform is a general maintenance inspection. When we perform a maintenance inspection, we are checking the car for any potential problems that can be seen, heard or smelled. One must remember that many problems cannot be seen or heard. For example, if an engine is burning oil, there is no way for us to see that in a general maintenance inspection. An alternator could be on the verge of failing but has no symptoms. That is why it is extremely important to pay attention to warning signs. If you think there could be a potential problem, make sure to tell your technician at the time of drop-off.
When we perform general maintenance inspections, we check exterior lights, tires, belts, brakes, suspension, fluids and maintenance items. We also test-drive the car to listen for any unusual sounds and feel for any unusual vibrations. We also check for leaks and smells.
During the test drive, we make sure the car is tracking correctly on the road. We make sure the brakes are working properly and are not making noise and we check for brake vibration. After confirming the car drives properly, we put it on the lift and begin the inspection. If we find anything that is out of place, we rank it by severity. Once the inspection is done, we write individual estimates for each item that has a problem. We then make sure to put each item in order by urgency.
Winter driving can be the most dangerous. As we approach winter, there are certain items you want in good working order. Wiper blades, tires and brakes should be in good working order. Fluids are also extremely important. Make sure your coolant has good freeze protection and that the PH level is above 7.5, the moisture content is low in the brake fluid, the transmission fluid is not burnt, and your wiper fluid is full and has freeze protection.
It is also important to have an emergency kit in the car. Thirty years ago, an emergency kit may have consisted of jumper cables, flares, a blanket and a flashlight. Now there are all kinds of cool gadgets available, like portable jumper packs, power banks, battery-powered air compressors, GPS location beacons and satellite phones. A plethora of roadside emergency kits can be purchased online.
No one can avoid the most unexpected problem, but you can try your best to be prepared. Make an appointment for your travel inspection and take an inventory of your roadside emergency kit. We all live super busy lives, but remember that being prepared could get you out of a mess.
Matt Pataky owns Sunnyvale Foreign Car Service, 15 Pioneer Way, Mountain View. For more information, call (650) 960- 6988, email sf****@***il.com or visit sunnyvaleforeigncar.com.
