Anyone driving this Thanksgiving might want to take 10 minutes to check their car and make sure it’s ready to roll.
“One way to ensure you will have a hassle-free holiday weekend trip is by making sure that the vehicle you will be driving is running well. In a very short amount of time, you can identify how road-ready your vehicle is and then take steps to have the problems fixed before heading out of town,” Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council, said in a news release. “A 10-minute pre-trip check is a small sacrifice compared to the inconvenience of breaking down many miles away from home.”
The Car Care Council’s 10-minute pre-trip checkup includes:
– Checking fluids: This should include engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission fluids, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
– Checking hoses and belts: Be sure to make sure hoses and belts aren’t cracked, brittle, frayed or loose.
– Checking tires: In addition to tire pressure, be sure to make the tread. Also look for bulges and bald spots.
AAA is projecting 38.4 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving weekend – an increase of 1.4 percent from last year. According to AAA’s projections, 33.2 million people are expected to drive – an increase of 2.1 percent from 2008.
