A long weekend is the perfect opportunity to make any time of the year memorable and sweet by taking a road trip with friends or family. Make sure to avoid any bumps in the road, however, by getting your vehicle a check-up before you take off. Small issues that are easily prevented or fixed at home can end up being a huge hassle out on the road, putting a major damper on your fun. Here are a few tips on getting your car ready for a long weekend, so that you can take it easy and enjoy your mini vacation.
The Basics
Chances are good that you are not making an incredibly long or intense journey in a weekend, so having all the basics looked at should do the trick for your getaway. You will definitely want your tire pressure checked out and corrected if any of your tires are low. It is a good idea to make sure all of your fluids are checked, and ideally topped off. Your belts, hoses, and lights should be examined, and breaks should be tested visually. A load test for your battery (this tests how much charge it has) is a good idea too. While you do not need to go crazy, with all these small but critical details to think about, letting a pro handle it is the smart decision to make.
In the Shop
When you bring your car in to the shop, do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions, or to tell your mechanic how long of a drive you have ahead of you if there is anything specific about the car that is worrying you. Having your car worked on can be an intimidating process at times, largely because you want to stay safe and get what you need without getting duped and paying for services that are not really necessary. However, if you do your research and find a reputable place with a policy of honesty that past customers will back up, you should be in the clear.
Look for Special Deals
Mechanics know that just before long holiday weekends, especially during the summer time, their services are going to be in higher demand than usual. Because of this, many mechanics and service centers offer special deals to be sure that they get noticed as everyone rushes to make sure that their vehicles are in tip top shape. Be on the lookout for coupons and seasonal offerings. These are great if you are about to make a long trip, and also if you just need a check-up and want to jump on the seasonal bandwagon and save.
