The summer weather means only one thing - summer road trips! And while everybody loves the idea, not everybody reaches their destination without hiccups along the way. To make sure that your drive is smooth and full of positive memories, paying attention to a few tips and keeping your car in check is crucial. Lest you end up on the side of the road waiting for help to arrive.

How to Reach Your Road Trip Destination Without Hiccups

Wicked Good Oil knows a thing or two about vehicle maintenance and has prepared the following post with general tips which can help you and your passengers reach your destination safely, and without incident.

Start with Your Tires

Your tires are a great place to start because, well, without them your vehicle won’t be going very far at all! The most common tire-related incident is a blowout. Not only is this an inconvenience but it’s also extremely dangerous. The easiest way to prevent a tire blowout is to check the condition of your tires before you drive. Simply take your vehicle out into the summer sun, get down low, and check for the following:

• Is there any debris stuck in your tires?
• Is there anything lodged in the tread of your tires?
• How good is the level of tread on each tire?
• Can you see any bald spots/places where there is no tread?

If you can identify any of the above, be sure to repair the tire or have it replaced before you leave. The reason it’s best to get this done before is as much about safety as it is about convenience.

Tire Pressure

The majority of motorist don’t know that the pressure in their tires can not only change with the weather, but it can also cause problems while driving. If your tires are under-inflated then your vehicle is more difficult to maneuver, making it harder for you to get yourself out of trouble at high speed on a road trip. The day before you leave, check the pressure in your tires is correct. Not only will this help you to control your vehicle better but has the added bonus that it can improve your fuel efficiency!

Check Your Fluids

Of all the advice your parents will have given you over the years, the one about making sure your fluids are in good condition and at the correct level is one of the most important. While it can seem like “too basic” car maintenance, the truth is that far too many road trips end early or are greatly delayed because of something as simple as empty fluids. A couple of days before you leave, check the condition and level of the following:

• Engine Oil
• Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluid
• Coolant
• Wipe Fluid

Something as simple as your coolant running out or not doing its job during the summer heat can see you and your family or friends waiting on the side of the road with nothing but steam coming from your engine. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil which can keep your engine in good health and you and your passengers on the road for longer. To find out more or to learn about how something as simple as a synthetic oil change in Everett, WA can help your engine health, speak with an expert at Wicked Good Oil by calling (904) 483-7979.

How Well Can You Stop?

Taking your foot off the gas pedal to slow down and then lightly touching your brakes to stop is one thing, but bringing your vehicle to a complete stop or braking hard to avoid an accident at high speed is completely different. Before you leave, be sure to give some time and attention to your brakes. Even if they have been doing their job recently. Just taking your car out into the sunlight and giving them a visual inspection will be a great start. When you are checking them out, look for the following:

• Can you see the indicator pin protruding from your brake pads?
• Do your brake pads look like they’ve seen better days?
• Is there any debris stuck in your brakes or covering your pads?

If you can see any problems with your brake pads, the best thing to do is get them checked before you leave.

Electrics

Is one of your headlamps a little dimmer than the other? Have your tail lights been playing up lately? Are you not sure whether or not your indicators are turning on every time you want them to? These are small issues which can cause big and dangerous problems while you’re on the road. Something as simple as a blown headlamp can see you and your passengers stuck on the side of the road unable to continue your night driving because you can’t safely see the road ahead. A few days before you are due to head out, have one of your friends or family members walk around your vehicle while you apply pressure to the brakes and indicate, etc, to make sure everything is working fine. If it is then now is the time to get it all fixed.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Synthetic Oil Change in Everett, WA

Don’t let basic engine maintenance get in the way of enjoying a summer road trip. Speak with the experts at Wicked Good Oil by calling (904) 483-7979 to learn about how a synthetic oil change in Everett, WA or check out the online store. With expert knowledge and a range of high-quality AMSOIL products to choose from, rest assured that Wicked Good Oil will give you the right advice and the best products for your engine.