When you’re preparing for a long road trip, it’s always best to be prepared for anything. Prepping your car helps prevent being stuck on the side of the road because of a break down that could have been fixed with a simple tune-up.

Maintenance tasks for the driver:

Head- and rearlights

Leave your car running in park so you can get out and see if both of your headlights still have completely working lights. For the rearlights, you’ll need a friend who can stand behind the car and let you know if any of the lights are out when you press the brakes.

Tread

A tire’s tread is easy to check with the penny test. Grab a penny, turn it around so Lincoln’s head is facing down, and stick it in the tread of each tire at different points. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tread is too low to be safe. A tire’s tread is essential for braking and maintaining traction on slick roads.

Air pressure

Optimal air pressure in your tires gets you better mileage and helps prevent a flat tire.

Windshield wiper fluid

There’s always the chance of mud or other debris getting onto your windshield and blocking your view, so make sure you top off the windshield wiper fluid.

Wiper blades

Damaged or old blades won’t properly wipe your windshield, which can be especially dangerous if you run into a downpour.

Maintenance tasks for the service center:

Oil change

Your engine’s oil is an essential part of how your car works and prevents wear and tear from causing premature damage. If you go too long between oil changes, the oil will gather build-up that makes it harder to lubricate the system.

Brake check

Even if you’re not hearing any grinding noises or noticing that you have to put a lot of pressure to stop, it never hurts to have your brakes checked by a professional. They are your vehicle’s first defense when you need to stop and avoid a collision.

Battery

Now that we’re past winter, some drivers may think they’re in the clear if they had some issues starting on those negative temp days. However, your battery can still run out of charge and leave you stranded.

Belts & Hoses

Most of your vehicle’s systems have belts and hoses that need to replaced at some point during its lifetime. Have the technician check on the state of them to make sure they’re ready for the trip.

Take note of any concerns you have before the appointment such as vibrations, new noises, a weird smell, or other unusual signs. Superior Service Center can take care of your tune-up needs—we have locations in Apple Valley, MN and Eagan, MN.