What is better than a summer road trip? For many it is a regular part of the season and with good reason. We have so much beauty in the Northwest and road trips are a great way to see it all. With that said, a little preparation is in order to prevent a breakdown or worse, an auto accident. This article will focus on the safety checklist you will need to review before heading out.
- If you haven’t had your car serviced in a while or you don’t know the cars service history, schedule a maintenance check-up before you go with a mechanic.
- Find out if there is safety recall for your vehicle here: https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/
- Tires: Check the air pressure and tread, and make sure you have a spare. There are nearly 11,000 tire related crashes every year. Learn more about tire safety here: http://www.safercar.gov/tires/index.html
- Wiper blades: It’s Washington so there isn’t a season that we don’t need to be concerned with the condition of our wiper blades. If they are worn out, invest in new ones.
- Fluids: Check all fluid levels including oil, brake, transmission, power steering, windshield washer, and coolant. Make sure you do not have any leaks.
- Belts: Inspect all belts and hoses. Summer heat can cause belts and hoses to break down faster and it has been a hot summer so far; we can expect much more heat in the coming months.
- A/C: You want your air conditioning to be working properly especially for children and the elderly.
- Windshield: Cracked windshields make it hard to see, and aren’t as structurally sound.
- Lights: Check to make sure all your lights are working including headlights, brake lights, emergency flashers, turn signals, interior lights and trailer lights if you are hauling a trailer.
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