19/12/2019
Few times of the year are as pleasant as the summer holidays. Weather conditions are perfect for so many activities. In fact, most people plan ahead to escape from the city routine and hit the road during holidays for that same reason. However, regardless of the kind of vacation you have in mind, from great off-roading adventures to going to a sunny beach, it’s a good idea to check out your vehicle first to ensure its reliability is assured and the safety of your loved ones is in hand.
Why?
To prevent a faulty battery, a worn tyre, or a bad brake pad from ruining your summer holidays. It happens all the time. Because we easily forget that vehicles are machines that require regular maintenance.
The goal of this article is to provide you with 5 essential checkups to prepare your car for the summer holidays based on The Garage’s vast experience in preventive maintenance.
1. Safety Systems – Brakes and Suspension
If you drive an SUV or 4x4 vehicle we strongly suggest including in your pre-holiday car checkup the following components, which are crucial in maintaining its safety and reliability:
- Suspension components (shock absorbers, wheel bearings)
- Brake components (brake pads, brake rotors)
- Cooling components ( engine radiator, transmission radiator)
- External power outlets
It is also a good idea to inform our technicians about any warning light or driver message showing up to perform all necessary tests.
2. Tyre Rotation
Rotating tyres is considered good practice before a road trip because it increases tyre lifespan and enhances the tyre’s grip on the road. Checking out tyre conditions during this maintenance is arguably one of the most important points of this list because it directly affects your safety.
Our experienced technicians offer you the best quality Gold Coast car servicing by checking the following points during tyre rotation:
- Uneven tyre wear
- Tyre pressure (including spare tyre)
- Tyre wear by means of measuring thread deep
3. Wheel Balancing
Most people avoid this important maintenance unless they start feeling an unusual steering wheel vibration. Big mistake. Wheel balancing is also a safety issue, and by having your wheels balanced regularly you can prevent:
- Uneven wear across the tyre surface
- Excessive stress on suspension components such as shock absorbers and wheel bearing
- Instability while driving that put at risk your safety
If you are the proud owner of an SUV or 4x4 vehicle then wheel balancing becomes even more important. Bigger and thus heavier tyres are prone to suffer from irregular wear when not properly balanced. Because we love cars and we love sending our customers away with safe cars, The Garage uses the best quality wheel balancing machines to provide you with the utmost tyre service in the Gold Coast. Importantly, balancing ensures that your tyres wear evenly, which increases their reliability and you can be sure no one tyre is being put under more stress than the others.
4. Fluid Leaks
Your vehicle relies on a number of different fluids, of the right quality and volume running through the engine to stay in safe and reliable working order. To prolong the reliability and lifespan of your engine, and the safety of your vehicle, it’s important to check and correctly maintain the following fluids as part of your regular maintenance:
- Brake fluid level
- Oil level
- Engine coolant level
- Automatic transmission oil level
- Power steering wheel oil level
- Optionally, if you are planning off-roading, we suggest transfer/differential oil level check
Make sure you don’t skip this important step. Proper fluids levels ensure all components are working at top efficiency.
5. Electrical System
Another key system you should check before travelling is the vehicle’s electrical system. Ensure your mechanic has the appropriate tools and pieces of equipment to verify:
- Car battery condition (load check)
- Alternator voltage/amperage output under load
- Starter motor speed and amperage consumption
Here at The Garage, we work with the highest quality equipment to fully test your electrical system. Regardless of the kind of vehicle you drive, we offer the best SUV, 4x4, hatch and euro car diagnostics and servicing on the Gold Coast.
Wrapping Up
No holiday should be shadowed by unforeseen events that affect your safety. Servicing your vehicle in a timely manner will increase your car’s reliability, and bring you peace of mind and the benefit of keeping your car in top shape for many adventures to come.
Come in for your FREE Pre-Holiday Health Check at The Garage Miami, and get 10% off any basic service! Offer lasts until December 31st 2019!
