Top 3 Finishing Touches before Your Summer Road Trip
It’s not surprising that more and more people are opting to hit the open road for their summer vacation this year.
After being cooped up in the house all year, it seems like everyone is dying for open spaces, forests, national parks, and/or the beach.
A road trip means no waiting in crowded airports, no canceled hotel bookings, just you, the family, and wherever it is you want to go.
Sounds great, right? Well, it might be great except for this one thing….
The Future of Your Summer Road Trip
Scenario One- You pack a few things and do the grocery shopping for the trip the night before you leave. You gas up the car and toss everything in the trunk the night before.
You hit the road early and are loving the scenery. Everyone is excitedly talking about where they are going, what they will see and do once they get there. You stop to fill up again and you notice steam from under the hood. You lift the hood and discover that the radiator is empty, and something is dripping under the car.
You are forced to call a tow truck and spend the next two days in a roadside hotel that doesn’t even have a swimming pool.
Scenario Two- A few weeks before your planned vacay, you have your vehicle inspected by Hong Kong Auto Service. They discover that your lower radiator hose is cracking, it’s time to have the transmission serviced, and the air conditioning needs a little freon. Hong Kong Auto Service inspects the rest of your car and it’s fine.
After the repairs are complete, you gas up the car and bring it home. You pack everything in the trunk. and you go one to have one of the best family vacations you’ve had in a long, long time.
It’s pretty clear which scenario you are hoping for, right?
Of course, having your vehicle inspected before your trip is not a 100% guarantee that nothing will go wrong, stuff happens when you are making other plans, but it’s an added bit of insurance that you won’t have car trouble along the way.
The One Thing Seasoned Pro’s Would Never Do
What is that one thing? They would never head out on a road trip, especially in the hot summer months, without having their vehicle inspected first.
Why is that? Because a dead or malfunctioning car is no vacation!
Finishing Touches
The first finishing touch is to have the air conditioning system inspected. No one will enjoy a vacation if the air conditioning in your car isn’t icy cold. You may turn on the A/C right now and think that it’s cold enough, but temps in the 70’s are not nearly the same as temps in the 90s or higher.
The air conditioning system should be inspected for leaks and for freon levels. The air conditioning compressor belt(s) should also be inspected, as well as the operation of the clutch.
Signs that your vehicle may already be having an issue with the air conditioning include:
- No change in the airflow, no matter which position you put the fan knob on
- Loud noises when you turn on the A/C
- The air is cool, but not really cold, even on the Max A/C selection
- You can see an oil leak from the hoses or some other part of the A/C
Air conditioning is such a simple pleasure, but if you could avoid spending hours stuck in an unbearably hot, sticky car, why wouldn’t you?
The second finishing touch is, if you have an automatic transmission, it should also be inspected and/or serviced, especially if you plan on towing anything.
Automatic transmissions are notorious for being susceptible to overheating in the summer months. An external transmission fluid cooler is highly recommended if you are towing, but even if you don’t tow anything, they are still a good idea.
Many people may think about an oil change, but they don’t often remember to change the oil and filter in the transmission. Servicing an automatic transmission before your trip is a great way of ensuring that you won’t suffer from an overheated trans that will stop working.
The third and last finishing touch would be to have the belts, hoses, and battery inspected.
These are some of the most common reasons people experience breakdowns in the hot summer months. A broken hose, one or more broken belts, or a battery that has died due to the heat are the top reasons people end up calling roadside service.
An added touch would be the inspection of your tires and brakes. When these fail, they can cause real headaches, not to mention, it can possibly put your family’s life in danger if they are truly unsafe.
It only takes minutes to inspect your tires, brakes, and battery, so why would you not take the time to have this done? There is such a huge return on this tiny investment.
Save Yourself a Lot of Time, Cash, and Headaches
The one sure-fire trick that will almost guarantee that your road trip won’t be ruined by car trouble?
The easiest way to avoid ruining your road trip is to have your vehicle inspected by the professionals at Hong Kong Auto Service.
Call us for an appointment before your scheduled road trip. You should plan on making your appointment at least 2 weeks ahead of time so if parts need to be ordered, you aren’t cooling your jets at home waiting for a part delivery when you should be on the road.
Our expert, ASE-certified mechanics will be happy to inspect your vehicle, perform any scheduled maintenance and let you know if they find anything that needs your attention.
Imagine the peace of mind you will have to know those car problems are most likely not something you are going to have to deal with. You can relax and enjoy your time with your family somewhere beautiful and fun, not at a repair shop.
Call us today to schedule a summer check-up for your car, truck, or SUV. Your family will thank you.