According to research from KPMG, 72 percent of Australian respondents said they would book a domestic holiday between July and December 20211. Thus, it’s important that you get your car serviced before you hit the open road.
Whether you’re heading on a road trip with the family, a group of mates, or going solo, planning ahead is crucial to a safe and happy journey.
For this reason, it’s important that you have your vehicle serviced before you head out on your trip – especially if you intend to travel to remote locations, where access to emergency roadside assistance and spare parts is limited.
Before you book your next service, here are a few quick and easy maintenance checks you can do yourself.
1. Check your fluid levels
Park your car on a flat, even surface, so that you can get an accurate reading of your vital fluid levels. Then check the following fluids:
Oil
Locate the oil reservoir, pull out the dipstick, and wipe it down with a clean dry paper towel or cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back into the reservoir, and gently pull it out. Your oil levels should sit comfortably between the two markers.
Be sure to assess the colour of your oil, too. If the colour is dark brown or black, flush it out and replace with fresh oil. If the colour is gold or amber, your oil is still fresh, and it does not need replacing.
Coolant
Check the side of your coolant reservoir to make sure the liquid level is as close as possible to ‘Full.’ If you need to top up, refer to your owner’s manual to see which type of coolant your vehicle uses.
Be sure to check your coolant levels again a few days after your initial inspection; if the reservoir is lower than before, it could be leaking, so you should have it assessed by a professional mechanic
Other vital fluid levels to check:
✔ Power steering fluid
✔ Brake fluid
✔ Transmission fluid
✔ Windshield washer fluid
2. Tyres and wheels
When you inspect the condition of your tyres, the three most vital components to assess are your tyre pressure, tyre tread and wheel alignment
Tyre pressure
Next time you refuel at a service station, use their freely available air compressor to check your tyre pressure.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to determine how much pressure each of your tyres should have. Use the air compressor to get an accurate reading, add extra pressure when necessary, and then repeat for all tyres until they each have the same reading.
Make sure your spare tyre has enough pressure as well, so that it’ll be safe to use if you ever need it.
Hot tip: Setting off on a long trip in a fully loaded car? It’s good practice to raise your tyre pressure an extra 2 to 4psi. The extra air will help reduce the risk of a tyre blowout. This is a common risk when driving in the heat in a fully loaded vehicle.
Tyre tread
The depth of your tyre tread determines how much grip you have on the road. The more tread depth you have, the easier your vehicle is to control.
To assess your tread depth, place an Australian 20 cent coin into one of the central grooves of your tyre. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus, this means you have less than 3mm tread left and the tyre needs replacing.
Perform the same test for all tyres and replace any that fail.
Wheel alignment
Improper wheel alignment can result in uneven tyre wear and cause your vehicle to ‘pull’ to one side when you let go of the steering wheel.
If you discover any of these symptoms, book a steering and suspension assessment and wheel alignment if your car requires one.
An imbalanced wheel alignment can result in uneven tyre wear and cause your vehicle to ‘pull’ to one side. Book a wheel alignment service if you discover either of these symptoms.
3. Battery
When you’re out on the open road, battery failure could leave you stranded for hours. Watch out for the warning signs of a dying battery. Some of the most common signs of a failing battery include:
- A slow starting engine – This occurs when the battery takes longer than usual to create a charge for the starter, which means you have to wait a few extra seconds for the engine to turn over.
- Dim lights and electrical issues – A dying battery will have a harder time keeping electrical components, like headlights and dashboard lights, on full at all times.
- The battery light is on – There is a fault in the charging system for your battery. As with all modern electrical systems, battery voltage is monitored by the ECU (Engine Control Unit), which is vital for maintaining the electrical performance of your vehicle. If the charging system of your vehicle is controlled by the ECU, then, if you see this light appear on your dashboard, book your car in for a diagnostic check. A professional mechanic will get to the root of the problem. They will either: fine-tune your existing battery, replace it with a new one, or investigate a potentially deeper underlying problem.
- Your battery is older than 3 years old – While there is no ‘fixed’ lifespan for a battery, if yours is older than 3 years old then it could be due for a replacement in the near-future. If you’re planning a long road trip, consider replacing it anyway as a preventative measure.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, book in for an assessment or a car battery replacement service.
4. Brakes
Worn brake pads can severely impact your car’s ability to stop in a timely manner.
Fortunately, listening for warning signs is simple and easy. If your brake pads are thin and worn out, you will notice the following symptoms:
- Loud squeaking and squealing each time you brake – Some vehicles have brake pads that are intentionally designed to squeak or squeal, as a means to warn the driver that the brake pads need changing
- Warning light on your dashboard – If you see a dashboard warning light appear and stay on each time you drive, this is a sign your brake pads are worn out and need replacing. Refer to your owner’s manual to confirm that the warning light in question is related to the brake pads or another issue.
- Vibrating brake pedal – Do you hear a grinding or growling sound each time you press on the brake pedal, while feeling a strange vibration? If so, it could mean your brake pads are thin and grinding on the rotors. Brake pedal pulsations can also mean your disc rotor is warped. Book your car in for an assessment if you notice any of these symptoms.
5. Other final check-ups before your trip
✔ Check that there are no active engine warning lights on your dashboard
✔ Bring a pair of spare jumper cables with you
✔ Give your vehicle’s interior a clean and vacuum, so that it’s comfortable for you and any passengers you bring along
✔ Make sure your vehicle’s insurance is current and that you have emergency roadside assistance
✔ Make sure you have a spare bottle of water in case you need to top up your coolant
✔ Check under your vehicle for any signs of leaks while parked
✔ Find your spare car key and take it with you in case you lose the main key
At Car Servicing & You we give you honest, reliable advice about what your car needs, and what it doesn’t. We have locations in Carnegie, Ormond and Keilor Park for your convenience. Book online today and we’ll take care of the rest.
