7 Things You Should Check In Your Car Before Ride

Have you ever wondered how you can avoid four out of five car breakdowns? Or how to prepare a car for the summer or just what to check before a long trip? For many car owners, a timely check of the vehicle arranged at the change of season will make life easier. For example, spring and summer.

There are some simple but necessary procedures that will help minimize the risk of your car breaking down and save drivers from unpleasant surprises. The phobias of long hauls will be left behind, as well as the daily fears of being late for work due to some stupid malfunction or hearing an extraneous sound instead of the noise of the engine of your car.

1. Tires and wheels

When was the last time you looked at the wheels of your car? Take a close look at your winter tires before storing them. Summer tires have been hidden on the balcony, in the garage, or under the bed for some time, need no less close attention. It may very well be that the tread of the summer automobile “shoes” was well worn out last fall - it was worn down to the minimum allowable 1.6 mm.

In some cases, the color lines that have come through will be an additional clue. And do not think that trips in the warm season on "bald" tires do not threaten you with anything. A car with battered tires doesn’t drive well. In wet weather, such wheels are more and more often subject to hydroplaning, even at low speeds. Let's not risk our own lives and accept that it's time to run for new tires.

2. Chassis

The condition of the chassis of the car (the brake system, suspension, and tires) should be checked regularly. In the off-season, for example, after winter, all this needs a particularly thorough inspection. Otherwise, the car can drive hard, twitchy, and unpleasant.

If you see through rust, traces of oil, or other unfamiliar liquid, do not postpone a visit to car service, don’t neglect locksmith work. They can be divided into several components that affect the most problematic parts of the car. Shock absorbers, springs, and support cups need timely maintenance. Do not forget about ball joints, steering tips, racks, gearboxes, silent blocks, brake pads.

3. Tire fitting

In the off-season, it's time to change the shoes of the "iron horse", and the relevance of tire fitting increases significantly. If you have not stocked up on the second set of tires and wheels or don’t want to change the tires yourself, you will have to call in a specialized service.

4. Engine and transmission oils

Get in the habit of regularly changing the oil. This will allow the engine to work reliably and for a long time. Today there is a very large selection of oils. Always carry a supply of oils with you. Breaking the engine crankcase on the infamous roads can be quite easy, but if you have a stash, there is a chance to get to the nearest car service, settlement, or even home.

5. Washing and polishing

Dust and dirt that settle on the outside of the car are factors of premature aging and damage to the body. If you don’t fight it, everything can end with corrosion. Many car owners prefer to wash the car themselves, not trusting paid car washes. It may seem that you will carefully remove the dirt. But you still won't get the perfect result. Water itself is not a neutral substance but contains salts, alkalis, and other elements that spoil the paintwork. In addition to washing, the car also requires mandatory non-contact drying. In addition, the body often needs a polish that protects against the aggressive effects of moisture, oils, acids, and other negative factors.

6. Exhaust system

Watch out if you smell exhaust fumes or change the sound of the exhaust. All this may indicate overheating of the exhaust system or a violation of its tightness. And when air is sucked into the exhaust system, the engine speed can greatly “swing”. In this case, you need to repair the exhaust system.

7. Computer diagnostics of the car

Computer diagnostics is a wonderful preventive measure that costs much less than the subsequent repair due to a breakdown that was not detected in a timely manner. Don’t forget that the effectiveness of computer diagnostics depends on the skill level of the performer.