Your Holiday Vacation Car Maintenance Checklist

Before your holiday road trip this year, you may want to check out some options for car maintenance services in Greeley to make sure your car is in top travel shape. A professional will make sure all the little things that can turn into more concerning issues are in order and ready to compensate for ice, snow, and cold. Whether you’re going to visit grandma or taking a ski trip, there are plenty of things you should check out and repair before you begin your journey to make sure you get yourself and your family to and from your destination safely. Here’s a brief car maintenance checklist to get you started.

Car Maintenance in the Cold

Regular car maintenance means much more in the cold. Hot weather, of course, affects engines, but cars in general don’t like the cold. For more information about cold weather maintenance, click here.

• Protect the exterior

Colorado winters can be harsh for car exteriors. The snow, ice, and road salt can break down your car’s paint job and cause damage over time. Before you head out, give your car a good cleaning and apply a quality car wax to protect against another round of sand, ice, and salt.

• Change your oil

Cold weather is the best time to consider switching from conventional motor oil to synthetic oil because full-synthetic oil flows easier and freer at low temperatures than conventional oil. You can also try a synthetic blend for a similar effect. Be sure to get your mechanic’s recommendations on the best oil choice for your vehicle.

• Take care of your battery

Your vehicle’s batteries are affected by the cold, winter weather. After a long, hot summer, batteries will be sluggish in cold weather, especially if you don’t use your car every day. Test your battery and charging system frequently to make sure your car can start in the cold mornings. The last thing you want is to end up with a dead battery during your travels.

Car Maintenance: Being Prepared

Being prepared is the best way to keep your car up and running in any season, hot or cold. Make sure you’re taking these regular precautions with your car maintenance this winter, and check out this link for more safe travel tips.

• • Check transmission and differential fluids

Aside from oil, your car has many other fluid reservoirs that need to be replenished and maintained. Your transmission fluid and other lubricants for other systems like the drive axle don’t have to be changed nearly as frequently as your oil, but they need to be checked all the same. Read your car’s manual to find out how often they need to be changed.

• Belts

Your engine belts make your engine turn. Hold the belts in your hands and turn them sideways so you can see the friction surface. If there’s excess wear, fraying, tears, or cracking, it’s a good idea to have them replaced before any long trip.

• Tire pressure and tread

Your tires will wear down in any weather, so make sure your tread is worn evenly and that your tires have been rotated recently. Excess wear on your tire tread can lead an unsafe situation on the road, especially if the road is slippery and cold.

Conclusion

Making sure your car is safe to travel this winter is all about maintaining the normal functions of all of your car’s many moving parts. Make sure your fluids are doing what they’re supposed to do and that your car parts are functioning properly in the cold.

Looking help beyond a holiday car maintenance checklist? Please call us to schedule an appointment for your vehicle’s maintenance today.