Preparing Your Car for A Road Trip
Make it a policy, that when you plan to take a road trip with your family, to have your car undergo first some simple, routine maintenance checks, whether your using a high-mileage, old car or a newer one, so the chances of a car breakdown are reduced during the road trip.
Get through to major repairs
If there is a scheduled car maintenance coming up or if your car is found to need some repairs, then allow plenty of time to prioritize this and have your car be taken cared of by a car specialist at least a month before your scheduled road trip. If your car is a Honda, the warranty policy of the company provides a 3-year limited warranty service at 36,000 mileage for all new Honda vehicles. If you will be availing of the warranty terms, here is what a Honda mechanic will check on and do repairs, if needed, as covered by the maintenance schedule: air filter replacement, cabin air filter replacement, change oil and filter, rotate tires, check brake, steering and suspension system, and check drive belt.
Check on the car’s air filter
A dirty car filter means that it is unable to keep dirt, dust, or debris from entering the engine and, thus, the cylinders and oil are contaminated with the dirt particles, and this will result into the wear and tear on the engine, further reducing the gas mileage and emissions. Since air filter cannot be repaired, a Honda mechanic will first check on the condition of the air filter before replacing it with a new one; however, if the air filter type in your Honda car is one that uses cotton, instead of paper, this type is reusable, so it can simply be washed, dried, and reinstalled.
Cabin air filter maintenance check
Dirt, dust, pollen, debris are prevented from entering the passenger compartment by way of the cabin air filter, which is attached though the climate control system of a Honda car, such that when it is clogged up with dirt particles, a musty or moldy odor is smelled from the vents as moisture is trapped from the inside part of the climate control system and duct. A Honda mechanic will usually conduct visual inspection of the cabin air filter for road debris and assess the climate control filter housing, such that if there is need to replace the cabin air filter, since it is in a cartridge form, it is simply a matter of removing and replacing a new one.
Check on the brakes
When doing the maintenance check of the car brakes, a Honda mechanic will check on the following points: if there is a screeching sound when brakes are applied, the brake pads need replacing; when there is brake fluid leaking; and condition of brake rotors as they are vital in the dissipation of heat that comes from the brake pads.
Checking on the drive belt
A Honda mechanic checks the edges of the drive belt for cracks or fraying and uses an auto-tensioner to adjust the tension of the belt, such that the pointer should be in the proper range, according to the time and distance recommendations in the maintenance schedule, so that if the pointer is not within the range, it is time to replace the drive belt.
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