Long Weekend Driving: Is your car ready?

Grand Final weekend is nearly here. For Victorians that means a public holiday, plenty of footy talk and an extra chance to get out and about. And while you are probably thinking about what you are doing this weekend, there is one thing that is easy to forget:

Is your car actually ready for it ?

You don’t need to be heading on a massive roadtrip for a quick check up to be worth wile. A drive down the Peninsula, a weekend away or even a few extra trips visiting friends and family can quickly expose something that is already starting to go wrong.

Start with the tyres

Your tyres are the only part of your car actually touching the road, so they are a pretty good place to start.

Check the pressure, have a look at the tread and keep an eye out for uneven wear, cracks or damage.

And yes, check the spare one too,

Finding out your spare is flat when you are already standing on the side of the road is less than ideal.

When did you last check your fluids?

Oil, coolant and windscreen washer fluid are all simple things to check before a long drive. More importantly, if your car has suddenly started using oil or coolant, don’t just keep topping it up and assume everything is fine.

Cars don’ generally start losing fluids for no reason.

That weird noise still counts

We have said it before but it is worth repeating:

If your car has started making a noise it didnt make before, something has changed.

A knock over bumps, squealing brakes, a vibration through the steering wheel or that mysterious rattle you have been turning the radio up to avoid hearing isn’t likley to fix itself over the long weekend.

GET IT CHECKED!

Don’t forget the boring stuff

Lights. Wipers. Battery. Brakes.

They are not particularly exciting, but they are the things you really don’t want to discover are not working properly when you are already on the road. If your battery has been getting a little slower to start the car in the mornings, that is another warning worth paying attention to.

And if your service is overdue

A service i not just an oil change. It is also an opportunity for someone to actually look over the car and pick up things like worn brakes, tyres, leaks, suspension issues and other problems before they become bigger, and usually more expensive, ones.

So if you have been meaning to book your for the last few week (or months), consider this your reminder.

The Bottom Line

The Grand Final long weekend should involve footy, food and arguing about umpiring decisions. Not waiting for road side assistance.

You don’t need to obsess over every little thing your car does, but if something does not look, feel or sound right, don’t ignore it.

A quick check now can save you a much bigger headache later.

And if your car needs a proper once over, Garage 27 in Carrum Downs can help with servicing, diagnostics, repairs and general mechanic work.

Enjoy the long weekend, drive safe and may the best team win