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How to Make Sure Your Car is Road Trip Ready this Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, many folks will be hitting the road to visit family and friends in the coming weeks. If you’re planning to take a long trip make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the journey by following the three P’s – Prepare, Prevent & Plan.

Prepare –Before you hit the open road, take some time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. When you have luggage and extra passengers in the car, it puts extra strain on your vehicle. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road. Here are some things to check before you go:

• Check your tires. Make sure each tire (including the spare tire) has the recommended air pressure. Proper tire pressure will give you better handling and fuel economy. Look over the tires for any sign of uneven wear, bulges, or other damage to the tread and sidewalls. Also, make sure there is enough tread on the tires.
• Check the maintenance schedule. When did you last have an oil change? Do the tires need to be rotated? Have you had the alignment checked recently? All these services are important before a road trip. If you are unsure of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, contact Hilltop Tire to see when these services are due.

   

• Check the fluids. It is important this time of year to make sure you have enough windshield washer fluid. It’s a good idea to use a de-icing windshield wiper fluid during the winter months. Other fluids keep your vehicle running smoothly as well, such as power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Not only is it important to check the fluid levels, but the quality of fluid should be checked as well.
• Inspect the filters – Over time the filters in your vehicle get dirty and need to be replaced. A clean engine air filter will keep your engine running smooth and help improve gas mileage. A new cabin air filter will make sure the air you breathe is clean and fresh.
• Test the battery. Your car battery has to work harder on long trips. Things like phones, DVD players, and computers that need to be charged during a trip deplete the battery. Make sure your battery has enough life left in it. All Hilltop Tire Service locations perform complementary battery checks.

Prevent - Keep in mind your vehicle is under more stress on a road trip. If it’s time to replace the engine air filter, do it. Even performing a simple oil change could be the difference between being stranded out in the cold with costly repairs and getting to your destination safely.

Plan – If you’re traveling long distances, plan out your route before you go, taking into consideration rush hour traffic times along the way. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure they have plenty of fun activities to do so they don’t distract the driver. Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit. An emergency kit should include a first aid kit, road atlas, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, water, and non-perishable food.

No time to get your vehicle road-trip ready? Stop by your neighborhood Hilltop Tire Service Center for a complimentary Road Trip Inspection. Our technicians will check the tires, brakes, alignment, fluids, filters, battery, and windshield wipers. Our skilled technicians know what to look for and will inform you of any recommended services. If your vehicle looks good and is ready for the long haul, we’ll tell you that too!

You Can Learn More by Watching Our Video Here!