Finally, summer is here! The kids are back from college and the younger ones will be done in June. It’s time to start planning that family road trip, and you’ve already picked a spot, booked the hotel, and packed your bags, but there’s one thing left to do – make sure the car is ready. But what exactly should you do though to get your car ready? Here’s a few key checkpoints to look over:

• Tires

Tires are important all the time, but especially so on a road trip. After all, they are the one thing separating you from the road. Check tread wear and make sure the tire has not worn unevenly, and check tread depth to make sure it is above 2/32″. If a tire is not “ready” it should be replaced before a road trip, especially if it’s a long one.

• Fluids

This one you should take your car to the shop for because a proper fluid check looks at more than just the fluid itself. An old hose carrying coolant, for example, may be able to take the workload of your 20-minute commute fine, but could bust on a 7-hour drive, so it’s best to replace before that happens. A proper fluid check for road trips doesn’t just top off fluids but checks for leaks that may be hard to see and, if needed, replaces old, worn-out lines and cracked hoses.

Don’t forget, you may need to have your A/C fixed, if you’re already in for a fluid check over, that’s the best time to do so!

Before you head out on that road trip, stop by and see Ken and Manchester Auto and Tire of Mint Hill for a road trip safety inspection.  Feel free to give us a call for an appointment at 704-545-4597 or stop by our blog for more car maintenance tips. At www.ManchesterAutoandTire.com