Making Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Holidays

There’s more to preparing for a holiday road trip than just planning your route to a loved one’s or friend’s home. Ensuring your car is in good shape will help keep your family safe while on the road and reduce the chances of winter emergencies. To get started, here are six important things that should be on your pre-road trip checklist.

Check Your Tires

Winter roads can be hazardous because of ice and wet snow, which is why having a tire inspection is very important. Not only will worn tires make navigation treacherous, but insufficient air pressure can also threaten occupant safety. With that in mind, taking a look at tire pressure should be on everyone’s pre-road trip checklist. If you know that you’ll be driving through heavy snow, you may want to consider installing winter tires that have better traction.

Checking Your Brakes

One of the most important components of car safety is having good brakes. Without properly functioning brakes, stopping a vehicle on an icy highway at high speeds becomes even more challenging — and dangerous too. Any grinding sounds you hear when pushing on the brakes can be a sign that professionals should take a look at them. Additionally, if the brake pad friction material is 3 mm or less, contact a Rob’s automotive expert for replacement pads.

Check the Heater

If you haven’t used your car’s heating system since last winter, then ensuring it works should be on your pre-road trip checklist. If you get stuck in traffic, your car’s heating system will keep you and your family warm and safe.

Refill Fluids

While it’s common sense to hit the road with a full tank of gasoline, there are many other essential fluids you should keep an eye on. Drivers should check the following liquids prior to departing for any type of holiday road trip:

  • Engine Oil
  • Brake Fluid
  • Power Steering Fluid
  • Windshield Washer Fluid
  • Antifreeze 

Gather Safety Gear

No matter how prepared your car is for a winter journey, there’s no telling what might happen during a long trip. Whether you get into an accident because of the icy interstate highway or become stranded in an unexpected snowstorm, you’ll be thankful that you put safety gear on your pre-road trip checklist. Here are some of the essential items drivers should store in their vehicles if they want to keep their family safe in an emergency:

  • Food and water
  • A first-aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • A flashlight
  • Warm clothing and gloves
  • Blankets for warmth
  • A cell phone and charger
  • A snow shovel
  • Waterproof matches
  • Jumper cables
  • An inflated spare tire or donut

Visit Rob’s Automotive for Repairs and Maintenance

Nobody wants to have an automotive breakdown en route to their relatives. For that reason, any odd sounds or minor causes for concern should be addressed before leaving on a holiday trip. Plus, you’ll want to have any routine maintenance performed as well, so your vehicle runs smoothly and without issue.

To ensure all aspects of your car maintenance and repairs are taken care of, make scheduling a trip to Rob’s Automotive a part of your pre-road trip checklist! Our experienced professionals will cover all aspects of your vehicle’s maintenance so that you won’t have to worry about any unexpected problems while out on the road. In addition, we’ll also perform a pre-road trip inspection to catch any potential issues you aren’t aware of, so your holiday trip can be safe and enjoyable.

Rob’s Automotive is certified by 24 major auto manufacturers, making us your go-to Bristol auto body shop for a variety of services. From replacement and repairs to our Bristol towing services, we’re proud to be the leading automotive facility in our service area. Give us a call today to schedule your pre-road trip inspection and all your other vehicle needs!

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