It’s road trip season! As we move into summer proper, the temperatures and weather are becoming perfect for packing up the family and hitting the road. Whether you’re heading across the state to Grandma’s house or considering a cross-country trip to a fun destination, your Chevy car, truck, or SUV will be up to the task. But you should check several aspects of your vehicle before the family files in, to ensure that it will handle the long trip. We’ve put together the following summer road trip prep suggestions for you to consider, and remember to schedule a service appointment if you need assistance with any of these steps.
Brake System Inspection
There are few things more important to the safety of you and your family than the brake system in your Chevy. Mixing the summer heat with the fact that your vehicle is likely fully loaded means an excess of stress will be applied to your brakes, and when you get to the sudden stops, heavy traffic, and varying terrain, you want to make sure your system is properly equipped to stop when you need it to.
- Watch for warning signs like squeaking, grinding, or a soft feeling when applying pressure to the brake pedal; these likely mean your brakes need service.
- Warning signs or not, get a professional brake inspection to make sure your brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels are fully capable of stopping safely and confidently.
Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid
While not nearly as critical to your health and safety as the brakes, your wiper blades and washer fluids are still important. If you’re halfway across the state and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a heavy downpour, the last thing you want is to discover that your wiper blades are cracked, torn, or leaving streaks across the windshield.
- Replace all blades – including the rear wiper blade if you have one – once or twice a year; if you know it has been a while, it’s better to replace them as it’s a quick and relatively inexpensive fix.
- Top off your windshield washer fluid to ensure you can clean those nasty bugs and post-storm grime off while you’re away from home.
Belts and Hoses
Brake checks, tire rotations, oil changes — these are all standard maintenance services that you’re likely well aware of, but you don’t often hear about belts and hoses. Despite the fact that they aren’t discussed often, there are several rubber belts and hoses found in your engine bay that keep crucial components like your alternator and power steering functioning. As with anything made out of rubber, high summer temperatures can cause damage to these parts.
- Pop the hood and visually inspect any belts or hoses that you see for signs of cracking, fraying, soft spots, or visible wear.
- These issues are relatively minor, but if a belt breaks or a hose ruptures it can bring your trip to a complete halt. Bring your vehicle in for an inspection if you’re unsure!
Exterior Lighting
If your road trips are long distance, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing a healthy chunk of the driving at night without the sun to guide your way. It’s more important than ever to make sure your exterior lights are functioning, as you’ll be navigating unfamiliar roads. Check every exterior light, including your high-beams and DRLs, your turn signals and reverse lights, and any others to make sure they’re operating as they should. If you notice a particular light is dim or burnt-out, make sure to get it replaced before leaving home.
Let the Jim Glover Chevrolet Help You Prepare
If you’re not a car person, going through this road trip checklist can be pretty overwhelming. You can lean on us for any and all of the things we’ve discussed here. Bring in your Chevy vehicle for a multi-point inspection and we’ll make sure to look at every aspect of your vehicle, even those we didn’t mention here. Be sure to get in touch with us if you have any questions, or schedule a service appointment for your earliest convenience.