Last year almost 42.2 million Americans traveled more than 50 miles away from home for the Thanksgiving Holiday according to AAA. We are willing to bet that less than 50% of those cars were “cleared for takeoff” by their mechanic. Most people assume that a quick check of the air in their tires, a look at the oil level and no check engine light being on means they are good to go, when often times that is not the case. Unfortunately, repairs on the road can sometimes cost double what it would have cost to have the preventative maintenance done and can take double the time to fix, cutting into the precious moments you have to enjoy that turkey leg.
While some people think they can do most of the work themselves, Rennie Bryant the owner of an auto repair shop in Florida suggests that in order to really check out the car, “you need to put the vehicle on a lift, and very few of us have access to them.” It’s simply much easier to check for problems when you can see under the car, especially when checking the things you wouldn’t normally think about… the long and polite way of saying take your car to a reputable mechanic.
While your car is on a lift Bryant suggests checking the CV joint boots (connects the drive shafts to the transmission and the drive wheels to the drive shafts) for cracks, your brakes/brake lines, the condition of the exhaust system and checking your tires for punctures/objects in the tire/air. Once back on the ground you should check things like oil levels, fluid levels (brake, transmission, windshield wiper), antifreeze levels, the belts and hoses (to make sure there isn’t a lot of wear and tear or breaks and leaks) and the condition of the wipers. It is also a good idea to check your lights to make sure you don’t have any brake or taillights out.
While some of these things can be done at home, Big Valley Ford recommends coming in before your trip over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. You wouldn’t want to disappoint grandma by being late now would you? Make your appointment now!
Sources cited:
Steven Cole Smith – “Holiday travel season approaches; is your car ready?” published: 11/13/2011 accessed: 11/14/2011 http://www.detnews.com/article/20111113/AUTO01/111130303/1148/?source=nletter-auto
Image Source: http://www.chapelgate.org/uploads/TurkeyDrive.jpg
Big Valley Ford Lincoln in Stockton, CA. We offer a great selection of new and used cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs. We also provide service and parts for all Ford models. For more information, please visit http://www.bigvalleyford.com.
