Fall check up: Is your vehicle road ready?

With colorful leaves falling outside, nature is calling. This means a road trip to see the season’s best colors is in order for many who look forward to annual trips to apple orchards, lake houses, pumpkin farms and hikes in the woods. Whether taking a quick jaunt across the state line or trekking a couple of states away, a vehicle that’s in tip-top shape is a must before hitting the road.

Safety First

Keep your family safe and ensure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out the door. It’s important not to wait until the last minute to schedule a pre-trip inspection. Ideally, schedule this inspection at least two weeks in advance, but even if spontaneity strikes, try to at least schedule a week or 3-4 days out. Here’s why:

• If your technician detects a minor or major issue, you’ll want to be sure there’s time for the repairs to be completed before your trip.
• If parts are needed, you’ll want to be sure your shop has enough time to procure them. In most cases, parts are available the same day. But if you have a less common vehicle, one that is no longer being made or have an uncommon repair need, the parts might not be as readily available.
• After any repairs, it’s always smart to drive the vehicle locally to ensure everything is a-OK.

Plus, when you plan and schedule ahead, you’ll have a better chance of getting the shop you know and trust to do the work.

When you choose Hong Kong Auto Service for your pre-trip check, we’ll give your vehicle the preemptive physical it needs for safe and worry-free travels. Here’s what should be checked out before hitting the road:

• Tires: Inspect tires for tread wear and proper inflation. Is it time to rotate your tires? Balance them? Replace them due to age?
• Shocks and Struts: These play a major role in driving comfort and safety. Fighting a car that’s pulling to one side, especially on highways, is tiring and dangerous, making a wheel alignment inspection a must-do before you travel.
• Brakes: We highly recommend a brake inspection before you leave, especially if you hear any strange noises or feel a grabbing, soft or hard pedal.
• Belts and Hoses: The stress of a long road trip and traveling a few hundred miles can push weak or worn belts and hoses past their breaking point. Don’t learn the hard way that any of these items were past their prime.
• Air Filter: Your engine air filter also is important because it saves you money on gas. For every gallon of gas you burn, your car will filter and use 12,000 gallons of air. If the filter needs to be changed, you’ll notice the fuel savings (or loss) on your trip.
• Preventive Maintenance: When is your next oil change due? Will you be able to complete your trip before it’s due? If not, have it taken care of before you go. A full service oil change at Hong Kong Auto Service is a great idea because we will top off all your fluids, check your tire pressure, and make sure your headlights and taillights work. More importantly, we’ll inspect all of the items on this checklist, including those easy-to-forget wiper blades.
• Warning Signs: Do you notice any unusual odors in your vehicle? If so, it could be as harmless as a dirty cabin air filter, while an exhaust leak is potentially fatal. What about dashboard warning lights or unnerving noises? Don’t underscore the importance of peace of mind on your trip—or the upside of confronting a problem now vs. waiting at the side of the road. And now, with the temperatures dropping, be sure to check your heating system so you aren’t left out in the cold.

Road warriors need not fear: Your shop is here! Give us a reason to help you fall in love with the season. If you haven’t been to see us for more than three months or 3,000 miles, Hong Kong Auto Service schedule a pre-trip inspection this week so your vehicle is ready to take on the highways, byways and winding country roads.

Happy Fall Travels!