It’s that time of year –Canadians are hopping into their cars and seeing what their local tourist spots have to offer.
According to a survey conducted by Leger for OK Tire, 50% of Canadians who are responsible for the maintenance of a vehicle are planning to go on a road trip this summer. And what’s a trip without multiple rounds of carpool karaoke? Motorists weighed in, and they revealed their desire to channel their inner Canadian music icons – Michael Buble, Celine Dion and Bryan Adams – voted top choices for best carpool karaoke partner this summer.
While it’s important to pack your camera and plan out the official road trip playlist, it’s easy to forget that the quickest way to ruin a road trip is car trouble. For a stress-free journey, here are four to-dos to include on your pre-road trip checklist:
Test your lights.
Testing your lights might seem straightforward, but it is a necessary step to take especially if you’re driving overnight. Over time, lights can dim or burn out. Don’t forget that the plastic casing covering the headlights may become cloudy due to aging, and your OK Tire Auto Service provider can fix that.
Test your brakes.
Malfunctioning brakes can lead to dangerous consequences and signs that you’ve ignored on your short drives might be key indicators that you need a brake replacement. This is especially important if you’re hauling a trailer or caravan as the extra weight adds additional friction and heat on the brakes. Typical indicators that your brakes need to be inspected or replaced are a high-pitched squeal when driving or a grinding noise when applying the brakes. You may also notice that it takes longer to stop than normal. It’s always best to visit a certified technician to thoroughly inspect your brakes before heading out on a road trip.
Get a Multi-Point Inspection for your car.
There are only so many potential issues we can spot ourselves, so it’s always best to check with a certified technician before you take off for your summer road trip. They will check the belts and hoses, the essential fluids and filters and confirm if they need to be changed or topped up (i.e. oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid and power steering fluid). It’s also best to plan ahead – bring in your vehicle a few weeks in advance to give the shop the necessary time to fix your vehicle should they have to.
Check your air conditioning.
Few things are worse than being in a packed car with all body heat and no air conditioning. Test it out for any odd leaks or smells and ensure it’s pushing out cold air. If you notice anything different, bring it to a certified technician for a full inspection.
Don’t forget to turn on a fun playlist – we recommend OK Tire’s official road trip playlist on Spotify.
Safe drives!
