Skip to main content

Go Through a Checklist

Go Through a Checklist

Now that summer is upon us, most of us will be hitting the road for a much-needed vacation.  While you may have gone down your list of food to take, what clothes to bring, the dog’s stuff, and whatever needless thing your 5-year-old can’t live without, it is possible you may have overlooked the needs of your vehicle. A long trip can put some stress on your car, so before you hit the road, you may want to take it for a tune up and look over by a mechanic. Heck, you can even make a checklist for you to look over before your trip so that you and your family can skip the agony of being broken down on the side of the road.

Samarins.com has a few helpful tips, but keep in mind, their tips don’t include other essential items to consider. It would be best to get your vehicle inspected by a mechanic a few days before your trip. Here are a few of our favorites.

Safety First


  • Replace windshield wipers if they are worn-out or old. Good visibility is vital for safe driving. Replace the windshield wipers if they don't clean properly or leave streaks. 
  • Is your tire pressure within specs? The recommended pressure is indicated on the tire pressure sticker. If one of the tires is low, it needs to be checked for nails or other sources of leaks. And also make sure they are in good shape before your trip. 
  • Is your engine oil topped up? If it has been a while since your last oil change and the oil looks dark or dirty, it's a good idea to change it before the trip. If the oil looks clean, but the level is low, you can top it up using the oil grade specified for your car.
  • If your headlights look dim, it makes it very hard to see the road at night, compromising your safety. You can buy a headlight restoration kit for $15-$30 and do it yourself or find a detailing shop to do it for you. Some even suggest using toothpaste to do the job. 
  • Keep a basic emergency kit in your car. This can include jumper (booster) cables, tire sealer-inflator can, tire pressure gauge, a couple of rags and work gloves, a flashlight, and basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers and set of the most common sockets). 

Reliable Pre-Owned Vehicles in Abilene

There are more helpful tips from Samarins to go over that can save you money, time, and your life. But if you feel like it’s time to upgrade to a reliable vehicle but don’t want to buy new, check us out. Williams Group Auto has a large selection of pre-owned vehicle in Abilene. You can see our entire selection at www.williamsroupauto.com or visit one of our three convenient locations.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Pain of Searching for New Car

The Pain of Searching for New Car Car shopping can really be a pain in the rear. It is something that you are looking forward to at first as it is an exciting venture. But as you go from car dealership to car dealership, the whole enterprise becomes old very quickly. It becomes overwhelming traveling from one brand to another and trying to compare and see what you like or don’t like. Before you know it you have reached the point of exhaustion, and you are simply tired of looking at new cars. You feel like there has to be a better way to shop for a new vehicle. There has to be a place that has a wide variety of automobiles ranging from trucks, cars, SUVs and everything in between that has several different car companies. On top of all that a variety of year models so you can find the right car to fit your budget. The good news is that there is a better option. There is indeed a car dealership that is a one-stop shop. This dealership has a variety of vehicles from different manufact...

A Helpful App

                                                              apple.com  A Helpful App We all want to be safe on the road, as well as others. But some of us can't help being on our phone or becoming distracted with other things while driving. Thankfully there are a few hand-free options out there, and Apple's CarPlay is one of them. Standard infotainments don't offer what CarPlay does. With CarPlay, you are applying iPhone software expertise to your driving experience, with Siri voice commands. Sending messages, playing music, asking for directions, streaming radio, or calling people hasn't been easier. All without touching your phone. It relies on Siri voice commands so you can keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Keep in mind, CarPlay is an app, it doesn't replace your standard entertainment system. Your c...

How Much Do You Drive on a Daily Basis?

How Much Do You Drive on a Daily Basis? We live in a society where people typically drive their vehicles for a short period and do not actually pay them off before jumping into a new one. There can be many reasons for this. This means that the total amount that they owed on the previous vehicle is tacked onto the new one so. Therefore, many people are indebted to their vehicles more than they are with their actual home loans. For these types of people, leasing a vehicle sounds like a good option because you get a new one every two years. The only issue with this is that you are only allowed a certain number of miles per year. So, for those of us who travel long distances every day back and forth to work, school or traveling, leasing is not the best option. We exceed the number of allotted miles in only a few months. The Alternative to Leasing A Vehicle So, what does someone do that travels great distances every day to be able to lease or to fit within the qualifications of a l...