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With the holidays approaching, many families are planning to set out on fall road trips over the next few months. As a responsible car owner, it’s important to take time to ensure your vehicle isn’t in need of any routine maintenance or major auto repair prior to hitting the road. Below is a helpful checklist to follow to ensure your car or truck will get you and your family to your destination safely and reliably.

Fall Road Trip Auto Maintenance Checklist

1. Schedule an Oil Change

As most drivers know, it’s important to take your car to an auto repair shop you trust for an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first). Changing your vehicle’s oil ensures your engine has the energy it needs to run properly, especially during long car trips.

2. Check Your Fluid Levels

auto repairWhile your auto repair shop is handling your oil change, ask them to check your fluid levels. This includes coolant and windshield washer solution, as well as transmission, brake, and power steering fluids, all of which need to be maintained and routinely changed for optimal vehicle operation.

3. Ensure Proper Tire Pressure

Another important item to check prior to a road trip is your vehicle’s tire pressure (or PSI). You can find the PSI recommended for your specific vehicle make and model either in your driver’s manual or along the side of your driver’s door. Remember that both overinflated and underinflated tires pose a risk to drivers, as they increase your chances of a flat tire or blowout, so always keep your tires at the recommended pressure level for best results.

4. Pack an Emergency Road Kit

Lastly, drivers planning an upcoming road trip should also consider assembling an emergency road kit. Whether you purchase one from an auto supply store or make it yourself, this kit should include a flashlight, reflective caution marker and flares, lug wrench, tire jack, jumper cables, and a spare tire, in case you need to change a flat on the side of the road. Drivers may also want to add basic first aid supplies to their kit, which will come in handy should an emergency situation ever arise while on the road.

 

If you need a local auto repair shop to help provide peace of mind that your vehicle is in top shape for an upcoming road trip, turn to Stillwater Auto Clinic. They have decades of experience serving the auto needs of customers in the East St. Paul/Maplewood, MN, areas. With a reputation for being one of the best car repair shops around, their friendly and skilled team has the experience to handle all of your auto needs, from oil changes to transmission repair. To learn more about Stillwater Auto Clinic’s services, or to schedule a service appointment, call them today at (651) 351-7188 or visit them online.

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