Picture this: you’re driving your car on a long road trip and suddenly it breaks down in the middle of nowhere. You’re stranded, don’t have any tools, and quite frankly, you have no idea what went wrong. As it turns out, arguably the best preventative measure for any road trip is a pre-trip inspection. A pre-trip inspection is a thorough check-up of your vehicle for issues, damages, or worn-out parts that could potentially cause a breakdown.
Getting a pre-trip inspection is the first step to ensuring a safe and hassle-free road trip. When you bring your car to an auto repair shop for a pre-trip inspection, you should expect a comprehensive check-up of your vehicle’s vital systems. Typically, an inspection will look at tires and wheels, brakes, steering and suspension, filters and fluids, electrical systems, and your car’s engine components.
Your mechanic will also take a look at your car’s fluids – including the oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid levels. During this inspection, they can subsequently top off any low fluids and make sure there are no leaks or contaminated fluids. They will inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and aligned, and that there is sufficient tread remaining. This is especially important since low tread on tires can cause them to blowout at higher speeds, sometimes resulting in dangerous accidents.
Getting a pre-trip inspection is a preventative measure that should not be overlooked. Going on a road trip without a pre-trip inspection can result in the possibility of breakdowns, which can lead to the most unwanted scenario, especially when you’re on the road. So, if you’re going on a road trip, be sure to schedule your pre-trip inspection ahead of time, and let the experts at your local auto repair shop make sure your car is roadworthy and safe. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!