Before embarking on a trip, it is necessary to review some elements of the car to check its condition and avoid breakdowns in the car.
It is Dolores Friday, we are at the gates of a new Holy Week, which means that a period of many road trips begins. Nobody wants to get stranded in the middle of the trip and, to avoid this, it is necessary to have the car in optimal conditions. That is why we give you 12 key tips to avoid car breakdowns at Easter 2023.
Before embarking on a trip, it is necessary to review some elements of the car to check its condition and avoid unpleasant surprises, as well as conduct responsible driving during the journey, taking into account a series of factors.
This is the only way to ensure that the car is fully ready for the many trips that can be made at Easter and that it does not suffer a breakdown on the highway.
The days and weeks leading up to Easter, thousands of workshops work piecemeal to check the status of vehicles. Inspection and tuning of the vehicle, checking and changing tyres, control of the air conditioning system and revision of the braking system are the services most in demand during this holiday period.
12 key tips to avoid car breakdowns at Easter: tire condition
You have to start by doing a check-up and, first of all, is to check the condition of the tires and check their level of wear. We will never tire of saying that tires are one of the most important parts, if not the most important part of the vehicle, since it is the only element in direct contact with the asphalt.
Remember that the tread of the rubber must never be less than 1.6 millimeters deep, although it is recommended to change the tires before reaching that limit.
In addition, it is also necessary to check that the tires are correctly inflated (it will depend on whether it is loaded or not and the manufacturer’s specifications must be followed).
2 Battery status
There is nothing more annoying than being left stranded due to battery drain, which tends to happen especially when it is very cold or very hot, although not necessarily.
If you notice that the car has a hard time starting, a click is heard when the ignition is turned on or there is a decrease in intensity of the courtesy lights, it is advisable to check the battery and replace it if necessary.
3 Check fluid levels
Another key tip to avoid breakdowns is to check the fluid levels and fill them up if necessary: oil, antifreeze (level and temperature), brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and power steering fluid.
4 Check the brakes
It is necessary to verify that there are no abnormal noises, that the brake is not soft or spongy and that the braking distance has not increased. To do this, you have to check the good condition of discs and pads.
5 Check filters
It is essential not to check the condition of the oil filter, whose function is to remove dust, sediments and residues present in the oil and which must be changed according to the manufacturer’s specifications or every year. You also have to check the cabin filter and the air filter.
6 States of the lights
Today, the lighting system of cars has evolved a lot and it is more difficult for them to fail. However, it is necessary to verify that all the lights work correctly and that they are well leveled. Don’t forget the turn signals.
7 Do not load the car excessively
Avoid overloading the vehicle and misplacement of luggage. Under no circumstances should you load the vehicle excessively or exceed the maximum authorized mass. Remember that weight affects stability and compromises safety. In addition, electronic security systems may be affected.
Regarding the placement of luggage, the load must not protrude from the floor of the vehicle and it must be well secured so that it does not come out projected in the event of a sudden stop or accident. To facilitate the transport of objects, it is advisable to use elements such as trailers, bicycle racks or roof trunks.
8 Drive calmly and responsibly
You may not be aware of this, but the way you drive can cause you to have a breakdown. For example, it is necessary to avoid accelerating with a cold engine, because the oil does not lubricate correctly.
On the other hand, once it reaches the optimum temperature, it does not hurt to rev the engine to remove carbon.
9 Avoid impacts on the tires
It is important to avoid driving on roads in poor condition, where there are potholes, potholes and poorly paved areas. When parking, you must avoid getting on the curb, as it can cause damage to the tire, suspension, steering, damage to the rim.
Likewise, we advise you to avoid going through speed bumps at speeds higher than those indicated, since this can cause damage to the suspension, the wheels and, of course, the tires.
10 Proper use of gears
It is important to make proper use of the gears, as well as fully depress the clutch pedal. If the gear does not engage correctly, the gearbox is forced, which can cause the clutch or even the gearbox to break.
11 Do not turn off the engine when you reach your destination
Once you arrive at your destination, after having made a long trip, do not turn off the engine as soon as you park. It is advisable to leave the vehicle idling for a few minutes so that the oil properly lubricates the engine, does not damage the turbo (if any) and the mechanics cool down.
If you turn off the engine as soon as you park, in the long run you can cause a serious fault in the turbo, to the point of breaking it. And its repair is not, far from it, cheap, and can amount to several thousand euros.
12 Do not drive if a warning light comes on
The last piece of advice to avoid breakdowns in the car at Easter is not to drive under any circumstances if a warning light appears on the instrument panel, especially if its meaning is unknown.
If this happens, it is advisable to stop the vehicle and consult the manual for the meaning of this warning light. The colors can guide you to make a decision: if the witness is red, you should not continue circulating; white, green and blue are usually informative while yellow is warning.
Source: Norauto
