Planning on driving somewhere for the holidays? Don’t forget to make sure your vehicle can get you there and back safely. Unexpected repairs can put a real damper on your holiday fun. Having to make those repairs when you are miles away from home and dealing with some unknown repair shop just makes it worse.
It’s basic, but don’t forget to check the pressure in your tires. The spare, too. Not only will it give you better gas mileage, it will also prevent your tires from wearing unevenly and having a shorter lifespan.
Tires aren’t cheap, so why use them up faster than you need to?
While you’re checking the tire pressure, take a look at the tread, too.
If your tires are too worn, your car won’t brake as well and you won’t have the control you need if you end up driving in the rain or other poor weather conditions.
Speaking of braking well, how are your brakes? When you push down on the brake pedal, does it feel softer than it used to? Is there a squeal when you pull to a stop? Do you feel your brakes grinding?
If you have any doubts, get your brakes inspected (and repaired, if necessary) before you make your holiday trip. You’ll be dealing with a trusted local auto repair facility (hopefully us, here at Elder Cedar Creek Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram), so you’ll have local service when you need it.
Not only is it safer to make sure your brakes are working properly before you make your trip, but it is cheaper, too. Replacing worn out brake pads is much less expensive than dealing with damaged discs or drums in addition because you waited too long.
Extreme temperatures can drain your battery more quickly than usual. Is it much hotter or much colder where you plan to be traveling?
Make sure your battery won’t let you down by getting it tested. Clean the connections while you are at it and check the cables for any cuts or abrasions.
Not just gasoline or diesel, though, of course, you’ll need that. Check all the fluid levels and ensure you start your trip with everything topped off to optimal levels.
If it’s going to be colder on your trip, the antifreeze should get a look. If you’re due for an oil change (because it’s been too long or you’ve driven too many miles since you last had it changed), take care of that ahead of time. The brake and transmission fluids deserve to be checked so you don’t face a troublesome breakdown during your trip.
Do you have an emergency kit in your car or truck?
If you do, make sure the supplies are still good or replace them.
If you don’t have one already, put one together before you head out on your road trip. You might want to include:
Take care of your vehicle so it can take care of you when you are traveling. Some attention to the little things ahead of time can give you a lot of peace of mind, so you can enjoy your trip.
Want some help getting ready? We’ll take care of you at Elder Cedar Creek Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Give us a call at (903) 713-8676 or come on by at 309 N Gun Barrel Ln, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156, and we can help you, and your vehicle, get set for a safe and fun trip over the holidays.
While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors can occur. Please verify all pricing information with a customer service representative. This is easily done by calling us or visiting us at the dealership.
Customer may not qualify for ALL Rebates shown. Some rebates are stackable and others can and cannot be combined. See Dealer For Complete Details.
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