Australia is a vibrant country with beautiful landscapes that attracts a lot of drivers who love long drives. If you have a car and love exploring, you can choose to plan a beautiful road trip for the coming weekend. However, before driving off, it will be essential to check all the parts to see if they are working properly. Otherwise, one minor fault may be enough to ruin your whole trip.
Though mobile mechanics are always available in different parts of Australia, it is your responsibility to conduct regular checks of your vehicle. This blog will help you with that.
What Are The Five Basic Checks You Should Do Before Hitting The Open Road?
Regular checks not only ensure avoiding potential car problems but will also guarantee a stress-free trip. These checks will keep your car in perfect shape.
1. Oil level
The oil keeps the internal parts of the engine lubricated and functional. If you want an accurate reading of the oil level, follow the steps below.
• Park the vehicle on level ground.
• When the engine is hot or cold, an oil level check is possible. If you are not sure about it, we recommend checking the owner’s manual. If your vehicle is running, you must first turn off the engine and then wait for a few minutes so that the oil can settle down.
• Next, you should remove the oil dipstick and clean the area.
• Then, you have to reinsert the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level on the dipstick. Always make sure that you use the standard viscosity for your engine and top up in minor amounts. You must give the oil some time to reach the sump and repeat the entire process to check its level. You should also not overfill the oil.
• Once the checks are finished, you should push the dipstick inside completely.
• If you have to regularly fill the car tank with oil, it is not a good sign for the vehicle, and a mechanic should be hired to fix it.
2. Water level
Checking the water or coolant level of the car is not very difficult, and you should carry it out every week. After keeping your car on a level surface, you have to wait for some time for the engine to cool.
Most cars have a reservoir, with’ MAX’ and ‘MIN’ markings on the exterior. It allows the driver to check the current level. The level of coolant should be present in between the low and high markings. For the car’s best performance, experts recommend using a 50-50 mix of distilled water and coolant.
Check with your owner’s manual to make sure you are using the suitable coolant for your car.
3. Tyre Pressure And Condition
While driving, your car tyres will come in direct contact with the road. So, when you plan a road trip, checking those things is of utmost importance. Checking them will also help you understand whether you need a new set. Several quick checks that will ensure a safe drive are as follows.
• When the tyre pressure is not correct, it will decrease the lifespan of the tyres, which will make your car less safe, and you will feel uncomfortable while driving. The correct tyre pressures are usually placed on the tyre placard, which you can find on the front door on the driver’s side.
• You also have to check whether your tyres have sufficient tread. Across the entire tread surface, the tyres should have at least 1.5 mm of the tread. There are wear indicators placed between tread grooves, and if there is an indication of wear, you have to replace your tyre. Regarding wear, you have to check for abnormal or uneven wear and damages like bulges or cracks. Cracks and bulges are indications of a steering or suspension system.
• Regular tyre rotations help reduce the wear and extend the lifespan of the tyres. So, before you go on a big trip, doing it can be an excellent idea.
Remember that these checks should be done for not only the existing tyres but also for spare ones.
Tyre issues are one of the most common problems drivers face on the road. So, it will always be a better plan to keep the contact details of a mobile car mechanic.
4. Windscreen Washer And Wiper Functionality
Washer fluid
To prepare the washer fluid, you may take clean water and a small amount of windscreen-washer additive and fill the washer bottle with this mixture. We advise not to use laundry and kitchen detergents because they can damage the wiper blades and paintwork.
Windscreen wipers
For absolutely safe driving, your windscreen must be as clearly visible as possible. If the wipers are noisy, torn or fail to clean the car windscreen, you may not get the desired visibility. So, before leaving for the road trip, a simple check will be a better idea.
Also, if you operate the wipers on a dry windscreen, scratches can develop on the windscreen, and it will get damaged with time, which will affect your visibility. So, before running the wipers, the fluid should be applied to the windscreen.
5. Indicators, Headlights, And Taillights
Sometimes, people tend to overlook headlights and tail lights. If possible, you may ask any of your family members or friends to check your car headlights and indicators, including the high beams. You can also do it yourself by using a wall or a glass window to test the taillights, reverse lights, and brake lights.
Apart from these checks, you should never forget to fill your fuel tank before starting your journey. A large number of people neglect this part and end up getting stuck on the highway.
Well, if you cannot make time out of your busy schedule to fill the tank, be aware of the nearest mobile car servicing company.
Final words
Most mobile mechanic service providers offer top-quality car breakdown assistance, no matter where your car gets stuck. They can reach the spot within minutes and help your car get back on track quickly. That is why it is always advised to keep the contact numbers of at least multiple service providers.
