2 Car Maintenance Jobs To Have Done Before You Take A Road Trip

Automotive Blog

Taking a road trip can often be an economical and fun vacation, but there are a few things that you will want to have done to your car before you leave. Having your tires changed and windshield repaired or replaced are two easy ways to get the most out of your vehicle throughout your road trip.

Windshield Repair or Replacement

One of the first things that you should have done before you leave on your trip is make sure that your windshield is in the best shape possible. If you have chips in your windshield, have them filled in as soon as possible. A chip can easily become a large crack if you drive on a rough road or hit a bump. 

If your windshield has several cracks, or one large crack, consider replacing the entire windshield for your safety. As long as there are cracks in your windshield, there is a chance that they will obstruct your vision. This can make it difficult to notice changing road conditions or hazards on the road until it is too late to do anything about it.

In addition, cracks can weaken the overall structural integrity of the windshield, which can increase the odds of your being injured in an accident. This is because a windshield provides additional support to the roof of the car in a rollover accident. If the windshield is damaged, it can shatter and allow the roof of the cabin to collapse in on you and your passengers.

Change Your Tires

Another good idea is to make sure that you have your tires checked and replaced if necessary. A tire with worn down treads will increase the risk that you will end up stranded somewhere due to a blown out or flat tire.

In addition, tires with worn down treads will make your vehicle's handling suffer. This means that the vehicle will not be as responsive if you need to try and avoid an accident or hazard in the road in time to avoid crashing.

Finally, new tires can even improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. This is because tires with worn down treads will not grip the road as well, which means that the tires will need to rotate more to keep your car moving. This causes your engine to work harder and burn more fuel, thus wasting money that you could be saving or using to enjoy your vacation.

Speak to a mechanic or visit an auto repair shop today in order to discuss the repairs that they would recommend prior to taking a road trip. By replacing your windshield and tires, you will make yourself and your passengers as safe as possible on your next trip. Contact an auto service like Foothill Service for your car repair needs.

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26 May 2015

Why I Love Working on Cars

My dad was a mechanic, but I never had any interest in cars when I was young. My dream was to become an accountant, and that is what I do for a living today. When I began my career, the stress of my job began to take a toll on me. One day, I visited my dad, and like usual, I talked to him while he was fixing up a car in our garage. He told me to switch places with him and began telling me what to do with them to help him repair the car. After just a half-hour or so, I felt more relaxed than I had in months. The rest is history, as they say, and I am now passionate about automobiles and auto repair. I also find blogging very relaxing, so I decided to combine my favorite hobbies and start an auto blog!