For some, there is nothing like hitting the road. Whether you are going on vacation or visiting friends, many people still prefer to drive than fly. We completely understand. We wouldn’t be doing what we do if we didn’t love our cars. When you are planning a road trip, it is vital that you prepare for it. If your oil change is due or about to be due, it is a good idea to get it done. If your inspection is due, it is also a good idea to get that done.
Even if your inspection is not quite due, if it has been a while since your car was checked, it is a good idea to have a professional take a look at it.
We had a situation recently when a regular customer came in the day before heading out on a trip that would put about 800 miles on the car in the matter of a weekend. The oil change was overdue, and the inspection was due by the end of the month. So, he brought the car in to get these things done before hitting the road. It was a good thing he did. Once the car was on the lift and the tires were removed, a visual inspection showed there was an issue with the brakes on one of the wheels and the chances of the brakes failing over the course of the 800-mile trip were pretty good. The caliper was replaced to resolve the problem, and the car was also due for new rotors, which was also done.
Since the issue with the brakes was not yet obvious, the car owner could have very easily waited until after the road trip to bring the car in for an inspection, which could have been bad news for him and his car.
Vehicles will break and there are parts of a car or truck that wear down over time and need to be replaced. It is impractical and impossible to have your car checked out every time you want to get in the car to go to work or the store, and even well-maintained cars, like the one above, will have problems every once in a while. You aren’t going to stop by every time you have to get in the car, however, if you are planning a long trip, it is a good idea to have your car at least visually inspected by someone who knows what they are looking for. It is also good practice to keep up to date with your oil changes since we will visually inspect the car looking for problems and even things that could potentially be a problem down the road.
We are also a Certified New York State Inspection Station, and we take these inspections seriously. Be safe on the road and protect yourself, your passengers and those around you by making sure your car is safe and in good working condition.
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