Everybody knows that summer is the best time to take a road trip. However, it’s also the most common time for motorists to experience road trip breakdowns. Of course, a road trip breakdown doesn’t have to happen during your adventure. The right planning and a few tips is all is takes to keep you and your passengers safe on the road and help you arrive at your destination.

How to Plan for a Successful Road Trip

Jim Ackney knows a lot about engine maintenance and how to prepare a vehicle for a long drive, and has prepared the following post to help you get to where you’re going this summer road trip.

Start with Your Tires

The best place to start is at the bottom - literally. Your tires are one of the most important aspects of your vehicle during a road trip. Why?  Because they are the very things that keep your car going and are the most susceptible to damage. The easiest way to ensure they are going to keep your car moving safely is with a quick visual inspection. Get your car into the bright sunlight and check for the following:

• Are there any bald spots/places where there is no tread
• Can you see any small chunks taken out or cuts?
• Foreign objects like nails or sticks stuck in your tire?
• Is the tread up to scratch?

If you can see any of the above problems or any other issues with your tires, the best thing you can do is to take your tires your mechanic and have them either repaired or replaced. The last thing that you want is for your tire to blowout during your drive. Not only is this incredibly dangerous but you can bet that it’ll see you stuck on the side of the road, wasting precious vacation hours waiting for help to arrive.

While You’re down There - Tire Pressure

It is easy to take your tire pressure for granted. After all, if you don’t have any leaks, how could your tire pressure change? The truth is that the change in weather conditions can have a drastic change in your tire pressure. In addition to low tire pressure taking its toll on your handling abilities, it can seriously affect your fuel economy.

Check Your Fluids

From the moment you started driving your parents would tell you about checking your fluid levels. And while there are many lessons your parents gave you which you ignored, this one should be listened to. During the summer road trip period, low or depleted fluids are a leading cause of delays and problems during a long drive. Start with these:

• Engine oil/Lubricant
• Brake Fluid
• Transmission Fluid
• Coolant
• Wiper Fluid

Yes, even your wiper fluid! If there are any other fluids which your car uses, be sure to check their quantity and condition. Something as simple as low coolant levels can leave you stranded on the road with steam pouring from your engine wasting valuable sunshine time! Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil to keep your engine running smoothly on the road for longer. Speak with Jim Ackney today by calling 1 (888) 476-0545 to learn more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Edmonton, AB and how this quick and easy bit of engine maintenance can keep you and your passengers safe on the road, for longer. If you prefer, the online store has extensive information about the range of AMSOIL products.

Brakes

Driving around town completing your errands, you might not notice that your brakes are on their way out. After all, you likely take your foot off the gas early to slow down, using the brakes only a small amount each time. However, when it comes to hard-braking when traveling at high speeds during a road trip, you need to ensure your brakes are in great condition. A visual inspection is a good way to go about this, simply by kneeling down and looking for any signs of brake pad wear or a pin which is starting to make its way through your padding. Of course, if you have been driving recently and can hear a grinding noise as you apply pressure to your brakes, this is another sign that your brakes need to be replaced. If you can hear a noise or you can see any issues with your brakes, don’t wait until you get back - be sure to replace your brake pads before you leave.

Electrics

It is easy to take your car’s electrics for granted, however, they need your attention too. Whether it’s one of your headlamps which isn’t shining as bright as the other, an indicator which is showing signs that the bulb is about to blow, or you know that one of your tail lights is out before a road trip is the right time to get the problems sorted. The reason why this is so important is because these are the types of items which keep you safe driving on the road, whether it’s lighting the way during the night portion of your drive or showing other vehicles your driving intentions or that you are braking.

Keep Your Vehicle on the Road for Longer with a Synthetic Oil Change in Edmonton, AB

In addition to the above, giving your vehicle a synthetic oil change in Edmonton, AB is the best way to keep your vehicle in good condition and your road trip safe. Speak with an expert at Jim Ackney today by calling 1 (888) 476-0545 to learn more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Edmonton, AB or for help finding the best high-quality AMSOIL product for your needs.