The warm weather is here, which means one thing - road trips! Whether it's a spontaneous and leisurely Sunday drive or a thoroughly planned and extensive interstate road trip, it's a good idea to check that your Subaru is prepared for the rigors of the road. Taking the time to ensure your car is ready for drives of all shapes and sizes requires you to carefully inspect several key areas before you embark on your next adventure.

At Piazza Subaru, the premier car dealership in Montgomery County, we want your car to be road-trip-ready. So before you slide on the driving gloves, don the sunglasses, and hit the road, let's examine a few ways to keep your vehicle ready to roll the streets. The following infographic provides a quick overview of the steps you can take:

 


Address Your Lubricants

A simple way to positively impact your Subaru is to address the lubricants vital to keeping it running smoothly and efficiently. Engines have many components that can begin to deteriorate over time from the wear and tear of driving. Keeping your oil changed and fluids filled at Piazza Subaru can help protect these components and provide you with better fuel economy.

Inspect Your Battery

Your car's battery is one aspect of your vehicle that you don't think about until a problem arises. As time goes on, the battery naturally loses its charge, but the main danger that can cause a premature failure comes from corrosion at the connectors.

If battery acid damages and weakens your connectors, the higher the likelihood your car will suffer a breakdown during your trip. Taking the time before heading out to properly inspect your battery for intact and tight connections will help keep your vehicle ready for the long road trip ahead.

Double Check the Electrical Equipment

Driving along unfamiliar roads in the middle of the night feels like it's ripped straight out of a horror movie - especially if your headlights stop working. One of the most common issues with your car involves loose connections in the electrical systems. If your headlights or brake lights aren't working properly, you won't be able to drive as safely as you could otherwise.

Before your next road trip, take the time to ensure your electrical systems, including your interior and exterior lights, are working properly. Tighten any loose connections and replace any burnt-out bulbs you come across to keep your car operating at peak efficiency.

Check Your Tire Pressure

While a knocking sound in your engine or a cloud of smoke billowing from under your hood clearly indicates something's wrong with your car, poorly inflated tires are more of a silent killer. When under-inflated, your tires force engines to work harder, which increases unnecessary wear for them and their components.

Under-inflated tires can also create an adverse effect on fuel economy, which reduces overall performance. Keeping your tires properly inflated is an easy and straightforward way to get your car road-ready for those relaxing Sunday drives.

Have Your Brakes Looked At

If you have noticed that your brakes aren't as responsive as they used to be or you hear a grinding noise when you apply them, it's past time you had your brake pads checked. Bringing your car to a service shop before your big summer road trip can help identify if you need to refill your brake fluid, need new pads, or if it's time to replace your brake system.

Replace Your Air Filters

Keeping your engine free of dirt, debris, bugs, and other materials is a full-time job that your air filters perform daily. Keeping that debris out of your engine helps maintain everything from engine performance, fuel economy, and the air quality in your car. You can replace your cabin filters or have your car dealer's service center change them for you.

Take a Look at Your Belts and Hoses

While your mechanic can give you a more in-depth analysis of what's going on under your hood, you can still take a cursory look to check for some warning signs. When inspecting your engine's belts, you want to check that they have as little give as possible. They should be tight, and if the belt has teeth, these should all line up perfectly. 

For the hoses, you want to check to see if there are any visible leaks. If your transmission fluid, engine oil, or anything else starts leaking due to a faulty hose, it can all come crashing down halfway through your next road trip.

Tidy Up

Most road trips will consist of long hours, many miles, and plenty of road snacks. Before you start going on the road, take the time to clean your car and get it ready for the road. Make an effort to clear out old trash, plastic bottles, and any random junk that has accumulated.

A clean car will help keep you and your passengers in the right frame of mind to enjoy the journey. Additionally, take the time to organize your vehicle to accommodate for your passengers, luggage, food, and drinks that you want to bring along for the trip.

Stick To Your Maintenance Schedule

Routinely bringing your vehicle to Piazza Subaru for scheduled maintenance and service is crucial to prevent significant breakdowns and other issues that your automobile may encounter during your road trip. This can include checking air filters, air conditioning systems, brakes, and batteries to prevent potential future problems with your car and ensure a safe and smooth trip.

At Piazza Subaru, we want you to focus on the primary function of a road trip - enjoying the open road and all the attractions it has to offer. We are the area's premier Subaru dealer and provider of official Subaru car parts.

To have us get your vehicle road trip ready, or for any other services or questions, give us a call or contact us online today!