Back to all

Road Trip: Be Ready for Anything With a Trip Inspection at Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti

February 19, 2016

Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation faster than ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by getting a trip inspection at Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti in Cincinnati. After all, you wouldn't travel without clean socks, why ask your vehicle to travel with a load of dirty oil?

The first step in a trip inspection at Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti is to look at your travel plans. What kinds of roads will you be driving on? Will you be in the Ohio backcountry or on the freeway? Will you be crossing mountains? Off-roading? What will the weather be like? How many miles away from Cincinnati will you be traveling? How much are you hauling? Will you be towing a trailer or lugging a rooftop carrier? Will you encounter dust, mud, snow or sea salt? All of these questions can help determine which Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti services are most needed. And don't hesitate to ask your Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on what trip conditions are hardest on what systems of your car and what kinds of services your vehicle realistically needs. Start with the tires and them for tread wear and proper inflation. Replace or rotate them as needed. If you need to change them out for winter tires, then do so.

Then look at your shocks or struts for wear. Replace them if needed. You'll want that extra comfort on your trip. Be sure to check your alignment as well. Steering a vehicle that is out of alignment is tiring, and dangerous. Don't overlook your brakes. With extra passengers and baggage, your brakes are going to get a workout. You want them in top condition.

In addition, inspect belts and hoses. If any of them are close to wearing out, have them replaced before your long trip does them in.

Change your engine air filter if it needs it, or if it's close to needing it. For every gallon of gas you burn, your air filter processes 12,000 gallons of air. A clean air filter will protect electronic sensors that effect how your engine runs.

Get an oil change at Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti in Cincinnati if it's coming due. Make it a full-service oil change while you're at it. That way, all of your fluids will get checked and topped off. Change any dirty or old fluids. Cincinnati drivers don't want to overstress their cooling systems or transmissions with dirty fluid during a long trip.

Does your vehicle smell? Check the cabin air filter. The bad smell could also indicate an exhaust leak, which can be fatal on a long trip. So don't ignore bad odors; check them out.

If your air conditioning hasn't been up to snuff, then give it an overhaul. You want your vacation to be relaxed and pleasant, and that means keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.

And be sure to check your wiper blades and your headlamps. You may find yourself driving in unfamiliar territory at night after a long day. You'll want to be able to see as much as possible.

Of course, almost everything listed here is just part of preventive maintenance for smart driving. If you keep up with your car care on a regular basis, a trip inspection will be a breeze at Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti.

Taking care of your vehicle before you leave for a road trip will pay you back in safety, peace of mind, improved comfort and better . It will also help your vacation go as planned by keeping you on the road and headed for that next great adventure. Just don't forget to pack your socks.

 

Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinatti
9401 Fields-Ertel, #320
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
513-683-5060
http://tuffy-auto-service-center-cincinatti.autodealertips.com

More articles from Tuffy Fields-Ertel Cincinnati

Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down in Cincinnati

December 15, 2024

Theres not much Cincinnati drivers can do about the price of gas in Ohio, but we can control - up to a point - how much we use. Our driving habits can dramatically affect our fuel economy.The first thing we can do is watch the go-pedal. Hard acceleration just sucks the gas. Gently leave stop ligh... More

Differential Service

December 8, 2024

When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More

Steer Clear of Power Steering Problems (Power Steering Maintenance)

December 1, 2024

We usually take our vehicle's easy steering for granted until something goes wrong. Power steering is what makes it almost effortless to turn the steering wheel, aiming your vehicle in the direction you want to go. Without the assistance of power from the engine, steering would be a laborious pr... More