Basic car maintenance and safe driving practices can help you save time and money. Car breakdowns do not happen on schedule. You may be driving in the middle of a lone street, and next thing you know—you’re already stuck on the side of the road. If you’re going on a road trip, it’s important to know the things that will reduce the chances of your car breaking down.
But before you start your engine and go for a ride, make sure that your vehicle is ready to roll. Identify and fix problems early on and prepare your car before you finally hit the road. By following these maintenance and safety tips, you can ensure a smooth ride and make your journey safer for everyone:
Check the Battery
One of the most common reasons why people call towing companies is due to a dead car battery. While it is a leading cause of breakdowns, battery failures are avoidable. Before starting your engine, make sure to visually examine the brackets, tighten loose cables, and get the battery voltage tested.
Get an Oil Change
During a road trip, it’s always best to start with fresh, clean oil. Having old and contaminated oil can put the engine under too much stress. To ensure a stress-free drive, keep up with the required engine oil levels and get a new oil filter. This will certainly help you avoid a car breakdown situation.
Inspect Tires
Your tires play an important role to keep your car moving. A flat or blown tire is something that you can avoid by checking the tire tread depth and pressure. Change the tires as needed, fill them with air, and keep an extra tire in your trunk.
Trust Your Instincts
No matter how long your drive will be, always pay attention to your vehicle. If you start to feel or hear anything strange, then trust the power of intuition. Inspect your car immediately before it breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Rather than wait for a breakdown, have your car checked by a trusted mechanic immediately. It’s much better to fix the problem now than pay for expensive repairs later. Here are the common signs that your car may break down:
- Vibrating
- Unusual, Bumpy Ride
- Bunny Hopping
- Strange Feeling in Your Steering
- Transmission issues
- Failed Starter
- Smoke or Exhaust Fumes
- whirring and Other Strange Car Noises
Prepare an Emergency Roadside Kit
Having a go-bag in your car is the best way to make sure you’re going to stay safe in case of a roadside emergency. You can buy an already-packed emergency kit or build your own based on your needs. We recommend that you include the following items inside your car emergency kit:
- First Aid Kit
- Jumper Cables
- Properly Inflated Spare Tire
- Flashlight With Extra Batteries
- Fire Extinguisher
- Flares or Triangle Reflectors
- Multipurpose Tool Kit
- Cell Phone Charger
Do Not Overload Your Car
When you’re going on a trip, it’s pretty common to feel excited and pack huge bags. However, car overloading is something that you should never do. Vehicles have different weight carrying capacities or payloads. When you exceed this limit, you might encounter a car breakdown situation or cause accidents for other motorists.
Avoid any hiccups in the road by keeping your payload within the safe range, driving slowly, and getting rid of junk inside your trunk. This way, you can reduce the chances of breakdown and increase fuel efficiency.
Call Our Team of Towing Experts
If you still experienced a flat tire or engine issue, do not hesitate to reach out to Allentown Towing Co! Our team understands that things can go wrong on the road, so we’re here when you need towing and roadside assistance. Just give us a call and we will respond immediately!