Travel is a big part of the holiday season. You don’t want your plans to be ruined by a breakdown that leaves you stuck in the cold, whether you’re driving across state lines to see family or going on a long-awaited scenic vacation. The most important thing you can do to make sure your car is safe, reliable, and stress-free before the holidays is to check it out ahead of time.
This check is more than just kicking the tires; it includes a thorough look at your car’s most important systems. If you spend a little time and money now on preventative mechanical repairs, you can save a lot of time, stress, and money later, especially when you have to deal with emergency holiday rates and limited garage space.
Battery,Belts, and Hoses: Important Repairs for Mechanics
When it’s cold outside, your car’s charging and cooling systems have to work harder. Don’t let a small part break ruin your trip.
- The Test of the Battery: When it’s colder, a battery’s cranking power goes down. Get your battery and charging system (alternator and voltage regulator) checked out. If the battery is getting close to four or five years old, you might want to replace it before it dies.
- Hoses and Belts: Check all of the engine belts for cracks, fraying, or too much wear. Look for soft spots, swelling, or leaks in the hoses. A broken serpentine belt can stop your engine right away, and a burst radiator hose can cause the engine to overheat very badly. These are cheap mechanical fixes that stop big problems from happening.
These main parts are easy to miss, but they are the most common reasons why cars won’t start in the cold.
To make an appointment, call Ricca Auto Body at 201-488-8423.
Brake and Tire Condition: Safety on the Road Trip Check
Your ability to stop and how well your tires grip the road are the only things that will keep you safe, especially when the weather is bad and it’s winter (rain, snow, ice).
- Check the brake pads, rotors, and fluid. Thin brake pads make it harder to stop, and old brake fluid that has absorbed moisture can make your brakes work less well when you need them the most.
- Tires: Use a penny test (or a gauge) to see how deep the tread is. The minimum legal depth is often not enough for safety in the winter, so make sure there is plenty of tread. Check that the pressure in all four tires and the spare is right. The pressure drops 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature. If you live in an area where ice or snow is common, you might want to get winter tires.
- Alignment and Suspension: Bad alignment makes the tires wear unevenly and makes the car pull, which makes the driver tired. Look for leaks in the struts and shocks. A broken suspension can make the car harder to handle and less stable, especially when it’s full of stuff for a long trip.
Things You Need to Do Before the Holidays
For safe travel, fluids must be clean and visibility must be clear.
- Filters and Oil: Make sure your oil change is up to date. Oil that is dirty makes things rub together and wear out too quickly. Check the levels of all fluids, including the brakes, transmission, and power steering.
- Antifreeze/Coolant: Check the level of your engine coolant. It needs to have the right amount of antifreeze in it to keep it from freezing in very cold weather and overheating when it’s running normally. A weak mix can cause the engine block to crack, which is a very expensive repair.
- Wipers and Washer Fluid: Make sure your wiper blades are in good shape (no streaks or skips) and replace them if they need to be. Use a special winter formula that has antifreeze in it to fill your washer fluid reservoir. This will keep the fluid from freezing on the windshield or in the lines.
Did you know?
When the temperature drops to 20°F (-6.7°C), the battery loses about 35% of its strength and the oil thickens, making it harder to start the engine. This is when most car engines fail to start.
Light and visibility: The Last Review of Mechanical Repairs
Check that all of the outside lights are working properly before you leave.
Have a friend walk around the car while you check every single bulb in the headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Good lighting is important for being able to see, especially on dark winter nights and during holiday traffic.
Emergency Kit: Put together a winter emergency kit with jumper cables, road flares, blankets, food that won’t go bad, water, a first-aid kit, and other important tools. The last thing you need to do to make sure your road trip goes well is to be ready for anything.
Ensure your car is road-trip ready by scheduling a comprehensive pre-holiday road trip check and preventative mechanical repairs now.
Call Ricca Auto Body at 201-488-8423 for a consultation and travel with confidence this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common reason for emergency mechanical repairs during a winter road trip?
and tire issues (due to improper inflation or insufficient tread depth for varying road conditions).
These are easily avoided with a thorough pre-trip inspection, which includes testing the battery’s charge
and checking tire pressures when the tires are cold.
Is it necessary to change my engine oil to a different viscosity for winter travel?
(like 5W-30 or 0W-20) as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Multi-viscosity oils flow more easily
at cold temperatures, reducing engine wear upon startup. Consult your owner’s manual or a certified
mechanic to ensure you are using the optimal oil type for cold weather and your vehicle’s needs.