Helpful car care tips before you hit the road this holiday weekend
Updated: 10:30 AM EDT May 24, 2025
AS WE ENTER THE BUSY SEASON. WELL, YOUR BAGS ARE PACKED AND THE PLAYLIST IS READY FOR THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER, BUT IS YOUR CAR JUST AS PREPARED? OUR CHRIS PETERSON HAS SOME SIMPLE SAFETY CHECKS THAT CAN KEEP YOUR FAMILY SECURE, AND YOUR NEXT TRIP STRESS FREE. THE UNOFFICIAL START TO SUMMER IS HERE, AND WE’VE GOT SOME CAR CARE TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP, SO YOU WON’T HAVE TO PUT THE BRAKES ON YOUR FAMILY VACATION. IT’S KIND OF EASY. IT’S NOT HARD. ANYBODY CAN DO IT. YOU MAY BE INTIMIDATED WHEN IT COMES TO ANYTHING UNDER THE HOOD, BUT GARY MYERS, OWNER OF GM AUTOMOTIVE, SAYS THERE ARE SOME SIMPLE CHECKS ANYONE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS READY FOR THE ROAD, LIKE CHECKING YOUR COOLANT. IF YOU DON’T KEEP IT CHECKED, MOST TIMES YOU START STEAMING. THAT MEANS YOU’VE DONE PROBABLY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO YOUR ENGINE, AND THAT CAN BE COSTLY, ESPECIALLY ON SOME OF THESE NEWER CARS. I MEAN, ENGINES RUN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. MOST CARS HAVE SIX ESSENTIAL FLUIDS OIL, BRAKE FLUID, POWER STEERING FLUID, TRANSMISSION FLUID, WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, AND COOLANT. CHECKING. EACH ONE OF THEM IS EASY AND WILL KEEP YOU ON THE ROAD, MYERS SAYS. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO CHECK YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SMEARS AND STREAKS MAKE IT HARD TO SEE WHAT’S IN FRONT OF YOU. I THINK THAT’S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO CHECK ON YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU GO ON VACATION, BECAUSE IT’S NOT JUST YOUR CAR YOU’RE PUTTING IN DANGER AT THAT POINT. YOU’RE PUTTING YOUR FAMILY. YOU’RE PUTTING OTHER FAMILIES LIVES ON THE LINE, AND YOU CAN’T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT GOOD TIRES. MAKE SURE THEY’RE PROPERLY INFLATED AND CHECK THE TREAD. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T DO THIS. THEY JUST USUALLY REACH IN THERE AND THEY’LL GRAB THEIR TIRE. BUT DON’T DO THAT. ALWAYS GET IN YOUR CAR, TURN YOUR STEERING WHEEL TO THE SIDE AND CHECK THE WHOLE TIRE, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES YOU’LL HAVE GOOD TREAD ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT THE INSIDE EDGE WILL BE SLICK OR HAVE WIRE HANGING OUT OF IT, AND WHICH IS ABOUT READY TO BLOW. AND YOU DON’T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO YOU ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, MAKE SURE YOU WASH YOUR CAR INSIDE AND OUT. NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP IN A GRIMY, SMELLY CAR, AND BUGS AND BIRD POOP CAN EAT YOUR PAINT. IN THOMASVILLE
Helpful car care tips before you hit the road this holiday weekend
Updated: 10:30 AM EDT May 24, 2025
Triple A estimates a record 45 million motorists will hit the road this holiday weekend. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your car is in tip-top shape before you take off.Many folks are intimidated when they open the hood, but mechanic Gary Myers owner of GM Automotive says there are some simple things anyone can do to keep your car moving.Here are some helpful tips so you won’t have to put the brakes on your family vacation.Check your fluids. Most cars have six essential fluids. Oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid and coolant. Checking each one of these is simple and will keep you on the road.Myers said one of the most important things is checking your windshield wipers.“I think this is one of the most important things to check on your car before you go on vacation,” Myers said. “Because it’s not just your car you’re putting in danger at that point. You’re putting your family. You’ve put other families’ lives on the line.”You’re certainly not going anywhere on bad tires. Myers said to turn the wheels slightly so you can check the whole tire for proper tread and inflation.Lastly, wash your car inside and out. Nobody wants to road trip in a smelly, grimy car. Plus, bugs and bird poop can eat your paint.
Triple A estimates a record 45 million motorists will hit the road this holiday weekend. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your car is in tip-top shape before you take off.
Many folks are intimidated when they open the hood, but mechanic Gary Myers owner of GM Automotive says there are some simple things anyone can do to keep your car moving.
Here are some helpful tips so you won’t have to put the brakes on your family vacation.
Check your fluids. Most cars have six essential fluids. Oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid and coolant. Checking each one of these is simple and will keep you on the road.
Myers said one of the most important things is checking your windshield wipers.
“I think this is one of the most important things to check on your car before you go on vacation,” Myers said. “Because it’s not just your car you’re putting in danger at that point. You’re putting your family. You’ve put other families’ lives on the line.”
You’re certainly not going anywhere on bad tires. Myers said to turn the wheels slightly so you can check the whole tire for proper tread and inflation.
Lastly, wash your car inside and out. Nobody wants to road trip in a smelly, grimy car. Plus, bugs and bird poop can eat your paint.
link