Preparing for a Road Trip

Preparing to hit the open road for vacation is as hectic as it is exciting. A great deal of packing, planning and organizing goes into ensuring that you have everything you need and want for the duration of your excursion. Despite your anticipation, do not neglect placing just as much importance on making sure your vehicle is in top shape and prepared for the trip. It is impossible to predict everything that can possibly go wrong with a vehicle, but you can certainly increase the likelihood of an incident free road trip by taking a few preventative steps to ensure your vehicle’s readiness.

If you haven’t already, make sure that your car is up to date for all of its manufacturer scheduled maintenance. The vehicle owner’s manual will outline each service that should be performed for your particular vehicle model at different mileage stages. Also, have any irregular noises or shakes examined by a certified mechanic before you hit the highway.

You and your vehicle rely heavily on tires not only to take you from point A to B, but to contribute to your safety en route. Under or over inflated tires can hurt your gas mileage and are more prone to blowouts that can leave you stranded. Ensure that the air pressure in each tire meets the exact recommended inflation level, and inspect the tread for wear. Any unevenness or baldness is cause for concern, and should be inspected by a tire specialist. If your trip involves snowy, mountainous terrain, have snow tires or chains ready in advance and know the procedure for utilizing them.

Next, inspect under the hood for battery condition and proper fluid levels. Add or change oil as needed, and check for acceptable levels of coolant, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid if you have it. Inspect the terminals connected to the vehicle’s battery, and ensure that they are free of corrosion. If you do not know the age or condition of your battery, it is a good idea to have it tested at an auto repair establishment and replace it if needed.

Waiting until the last minute to make sure that your vehicle is in traveling condition can delay or ruin your planned trip. Check your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, tires, and under the hood days before your departure to prevent any setbacks in the event that maintenance is necessary. Finally, unwind and rest assured that you have properly prepared to enjoy a safe, trouble free vacation.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of quality Austin TX used cars, trucks and SUVs. For more information please visit Chapman Motors.

Tire Longevity

Tires have an enormous impact on the performance and safety of your vehicle. Quality tires in good condition will give you a smooth ride and allow you optimal vehicle control and stopping ability. By taking proper care of your tires, you can keep your car driving smoothly and avoid accidents while saving money at the same time.

When your tires are new, take a diligent look at the tread design and depth and make a mental note of their appearance. Periodically check your tires for any drastic changes, such as uneven wear, bald spots or exposed wire. Normal wear should occur evenly across each tire, and should not happen quickly or to only one tire. In the event that you have a flat tire, have the tire examined by a professional to determine if a repair is possible. Ensure that the tire is taken off of the rim and checked for internal damage.

Maintaining the proper tire inflation level is extremely important to the longevity and effectiveness of your tires. Tires are manufactured with their own precise inflation requirement, expressed in pounds per square inch, which is printed in the owner’s manual and likely inside your vehicle’s driver door panel or glove compartment. If you have replaced your car’s tires with a different kind, make sure you are inflating the tires to the recommended level for that type.

Tires that are under inflated not only have a shorter life span, but can also cause your vehicle to use more fuel, hurting your gas mileage and generating excess pollution. Being inflated below or above the recommended level can cause a tire to fail, leaving you stranded. Maintain a regular schedule of checking your tire pressure using a quality tire gauge, even if it never seems to change. A puncture or leak can cause a tire to dramatically lose air and become dangerously under inflated in a short period of time.

Your driving habits also affect the progression of wear and tear that your tires will endure. Common sense will tell you that spinning your tires on pavement can harm the tread, but you can also damage your tires by starting, stopping, and turning quickly. To preserve your tread and get the optimum use out of your tires, drive conservatively and avoid hitting or scraping curbs.

Worn or damaged tires can cause your car to drive shakily, unsafely and with more road noise, and ignoring these symptoms will result in further tire damage. Do not postpone replacing tires at the right time, and make sure you dispose of old tires properly. An auto repair or tire retail store should be able to dispose of or recycle your old tires for a minimal fee.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of quality used trucks, used SUVs and used cars in Austin Texas and the surrounding areas. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

Car Care: What Not to Do

Any vehicle owner knows that failing to regularly change a car’s oil can destroy the engine. Even a novice will get the clue that something is wrong if the brakes are shaking or an engine warning light is on. And vehicle owner manuals guide us on what maintenance we should perform and when. But without being a car aficionado, it is more difficult to know what to avoid when it comes to daily use of a car. Most people have probably made simple, mindless mistakes in car care, without realizing the potential risk to their vehicles.

When parking on an incline, it is not only important to employ the parking brake, but also to administer the brakes in the proper sequence. First, you should come to a complete stop using the standard foot brake. Next, engage the parking brake, and shift into park if you have an automatic transmission. Only then should you release the foot brake. If you only use park or shift into park first, the weight of the vehicle will rest on the parking prawl, a pin that locks the transmission to keep your car parked. Without the parking brake engaged, all of the force trying to roll the car down the hill rests on this pin. Even if the mechanism does not fail, the unnecessary force that will be applied to shift back out of park can potentially damage the components of the mechanism.

With an automatic transmission, it is also important not to shift without coming to a complete stop first. Shifting from drive to reverse or reverse to drive without being completely stopped can cause serious damage to the transmission, a complex component of the car that is expensive and difficult to repair.

Another easily avoided way to damage a car is driving until the fuel tank is empty, or driving with a consistently low amount of fuel. Waiting for the fuel light to come on before refilling the tank is not a good practice for any car. Consistently driving a car with less than about a quarter of a tank can lead to eventual fuel filter and pump trouble that could have been prevented by simply refueling sooner.

Even if you are not a mechanical expert, becoming familiar with the parts under the hood of your car while it is in good shape can prevent you from getting stranded. If you take notice of the normal appearance and sound of belts and hoses, it is more likely that you will notice when something is awry. Being in tune with your car’s regular performance and avoiding the thoughtless actions pointed out above will help you escape needless mechanic visits accompanied by unwanted repair charges.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of quality used trucks, used SUVs and used cars in Austin and the surrounding areas. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

Simple Vehicle Maintenance Guide

Regular preventative maintenance and upkeep can prolong a vehicle’s life, improve the resale value and keep routine problems from becoming significant ones. The owner’s manual for your vehicle includes a maintenance schedule to guide you on the recommended actions to take at specified mileage and mileage intervals. Any vehicle will eventually encounter mechanical issues, but you can prevent major problems and optimize your car’s performance by following the maintenance schedule and performing basic upkeep that is recommended for all vehicles.

There is no substitute for having your oil changed regularly. But it is also crucial to check the oil periodically between oil changes, particularly if your vehicle has high mileage. The level and condition of the oil will signify whether you should have it changed sooner than scheduled or have your engine serviced. If the oil level is in the low range, it is imperative that you have the oil changed right away, and it would be a good idea to have the engine checked for leaks. If the oil appears dark brown or black, as opposed to a reddish color, it is time for an oil change. Other signals that you should have your vehicle checked are oil leaks under the car, or a change in the oil pressure gauge.

Your vehicle’s cooling system regulates the engine’s operating temperature, and overheating can cause irreversible damage to an engine. Check the coolant level in your vehicle periodically, such as when you check the oil, and have any leaks repaired right away. It is also wise to ensure that the front of your radiator is not obstructed by debris, which is one cause of overheating. Be attentive to the temperature gauge in your vehicle, and stop right away if it ever rises uncharacteristically. Do not attempt to open the reservoir until the engine has cooled, and have your radiator checked before driving the vehicle any further.

If you have an automatic transmission, you should also check the level and color of the transmission fluid regularly. If the level is low, there is likely a leak that should be repaired. Again, keep an eye out for leaks under your car. You should have the transmission fluid changed on regular intervals as recommended by your vehicle’s manual, and if it appears dark or dirty (as opposed to a clear reddish or brownish tint). It is also important to consistently use the type of fluid that is specified in your vehicle owner’s manual.

Preventative maintenance is necessary to keep your car performing at its best and to prolong its life. Keeping a detailed record of your vehicle’s maintenance history is helpful for trading or selling the vehicle in the future. While this guide serves as an outline of helpful suggestions, it is recommended to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule from the manufacturer and have any problems checked by a professional before they have time to escalate.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of quality used trucks, used SUVs and used cars in Austin TX and the surrounding areas. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.