Vehicle Travel Check List

It's that time of year again.  Everyone is excited to travel to far away lands to spend quality time with family and friends.  If you are lucky enough to be flying, the only few travel points on the check list for you would be to arrive to the airport with LOTS of time to spare, have boarding passes already printed and ready, make sure you read the airport rules/regulations, and go in knowing that it will be busy so stay calm and positive.  For the rest of us who will be traveling on the ground, I have compiled some bullet points for you to check off.  Any vehicle that will be used for the long haul to Grandma's house should be given a good once over.  Don't stress yourself out by waiting until the day before travel!  Go through this today or a week before so you have plenty of time if anything comes up!  Here are some major points:

• Check ALL fluids.  This includes oil, transmission, coolant, and washer fluid.  Top off if low and replace if looking dirty. 
• Check and/or replace Windshield wipers.  The weather can be unpredictable and one of the most important things while driving is being able to see!!  If those wiper blades are hard and cracking it's time to throw them out and put some new bad boys on.
• Have someone assist in checking all your lights and signals:  headlights, high beams, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals.
  
• Inspect and replace if necessary the vehicle air filter and your cabin air filter.  They are both located in different locations, so do believe that your vehicle has both :)  
• Examine all of the tires, this includes your spare!  Look for cracks in the side walls and depth of the tread.  Use the penny trick for tread depth; stick the penny upside down into the tread groove, if Lincolns head is visible then it is time for new tires.  To add to this, if you are going somewhere where there will be snow be sure to pack chains!
• It's been pretty cold!  Check the function of your heater and defrost options.  Make sure these are both working properly for warmth and visibility.
• Let us do the dirty work for you!!!  Bring your vehicle in for a 55-pt inspection where we check all of the above and much, much more!!!

From our family to yours, wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!!! Safe travels!

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