We all know that summer is the best time for a summer road trip, but it isn’t always as simple as getting into a car and heading to your favorite camping site or the beach. It can be easy to think that, if your car is up to the task of your daily errands then it must be ready for a road trip. Unfortunately, it’s this mentality which often leaves many motorists stranded on the side of the road waiting for help to arrive.

Is Your Car Road Trip Ready?

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, Mooresville Synthetic Oil knows more than a thing or two and has prepared the following post to help you and your passengers reach your summer road trip designation safely and soundly.

Tire Condition

When you really think about it, your tires have to put up with a fair bit! After all, they are literally the items of your car which go through mud, over curbs, even though rocky terrain. Taking this into consideration, it’s reasonable to give them some time and attention once in a while – and a road trip provides the perfect excuse. A visual inspection is all that’s needed to check that your tires are up to the task of a long drive, paying attention to the following:

• Is there enough tread?
• Is there debris stuck in the tread?
• Is there debris stuck in the tire itself?
• Can you see patches of your tire which have no tread at all?

If you can identify any of the above problems or you just aren’t sure that your tires are up to the task ahead, get them repaired or even replaced before you drive.

Tire Pressure

Speaking of tires, why not check your tire pressure? The change in weather conditions can take its toll on your tire pressure. There are two great reasons to ensure your pressure is where it should be. The first is to reduce your gas usage. Underinflated tires cause extra friction for your engine to battle against, using more gas than you need to. The second is to improve your handling and maneuverability. This is extremely beneficial if you encounter trouble on the road at high speed and need to avoid anything in your path.

Fluid Levels

Just like you need to pay more attention to your fluid intake during the summer heat, so too does your engine require a little more care and attention. A couple of days before you are due to drive off, check the following levels and quality:

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluid
• Wiper Fluid

If you can see that any of the above are either low or have just passed their due-date, top them up or replace them entirely. If you have the time, give your car a synthetic oil change to flush out any gunk currently making its way through your engine and give your performance a boost. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil to help you get the best performance out of your engine. To learn more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change or to get some help finding the right high-quality AMSOIL product for your engine, speak with an expert at Mooresville Synthetic Oil by calling (336) 247-0212.

How About Stopping?

With all the focus on moving, it’s equally important to pay attention to your stopping abilities. Brake pad condition can often be difficult to gauge because, during your regular drives, you probably take your foot off the gas pedal as you are coming up to a red light and then only need to lightly apply pressure once you get closer to come to a smooth stop. However, when you are on a road trip and traveling at high speeds on the open freeway you want to make sure that your brakes are going to work correctly when you apply heavy pressure. Take your car out into the sunlight and check your brake pads. Look to see if there is any film or debris on the pads or stuck in the mechanism, look to see if the indicator pin is visible, or if you can plainly see that they’ve seen better days. If you identify any problems, be sure to have them checked or replaced prior to leaving for your trip.

Electrics

Last, but certainly not least is your car’s electrics. This ranged from the lights on your dash to the lights on the outside of the vehicle. For example, if your fuel gauge has been playing up or the temperature gauge has just stopped working, now would be the best time to have it checked. Similarly, if one of your headlamps is a little dimmer than the other then it can suggest that it’s about to blow – which can leave you stranded on the side of the road during the night portion of your drive as you wait for the sun to rise. If possible, keep some spare bulbs and fuses in your trunk, just in case.

Get Your Car Road-Trip-Ready with a Synthetic Oil Change in Mooresville, NC

When it comes to preparing any vehicle for a road trip, nothing beats a synthetic oil change. This easy aspect of engine maintenance not only gives your engine a bit of a clean but helps it to perform at its best during both long and short drives. To find out more or to get the best product for the job, speak with an expert at Mooresville Synthetic Oil by calling (336) 247-0212. Alternatively, check out the online store for the entire range of high-quality AMSOIL products. ;