What subtle signals can our vehicle emit to warn that it needs maintenance? Automotive experts lend their knowledge to avoid unpleasant and dangerous technical problems in the middle of the road.
“What’s wrong, what’s wrong with my truck: what’s wrong, what’s wrong, that it won’t start / With such good, with such good behavior”.
Probably, reading these first lines, belonging to the classic Conductor by Chico Trujillo a festive mood, the memory of a reel or perhaps even a drunken desire to dance seized his person.
But the truth is the rude scene to stay in bread, and that the vehicle suffers from a technical defect in the middle of the road, has nothing pachanguero. Less so if it’s in the middle of the vacation period, with the whole family in the car, roasting on the road while waiting for the help of assistance or a good Samaritan.
Road trip: everything you need to know and pack for a vacation on wheels
How can we avoid or minimize the likelihood of experiencing such a situation during summer travel? What should we pay attention to before packing our bags and leaving for that long-awaited vacation?
Common Mistakes
Orlando Villalobos, Commercial Director of Operational Leasing at Mobility range explains that the big mistake people make when planning their vacation is not considering the condition of the car before hitting the road.
“The most common mistake, and indeed a bad one, is not checking whether the car needs to be serviced for the mileage, or whether the mileage it has left will allow it to cover what it has planned,” he said. “Another big mistake is not checking the condition of the tires. And thirdly, not checking that the documentation is up to date, available and accessible, which is also a big mistake,” he lists.
Among the essential revisions that must be made to the vehicle before taking it on the road, for Villalobos are the following:
- Check lubricant and fluid levels
- Check the condition of the battery and its respective cables
- Check the condition of the lights and tires, and check the spare wheel
- Check the status of the vehicle’s documentation, especially the technical examination.
- Don’t forget the expiry of the driving license
People are a bit lazy, says Jaime Concha, CEO of VulcaYa.cl , and many drivers forget to check the tires. He strongly suggests checking the air pressure recommended by the manufacturer, because in addition to providing safety, it serves “to save gasoline or oil, since in this way the car consumes fuel by optimally, in addition to allowing better grip, bite and softness for driving comfort”.
Some of the reviews you can do yourself, reader on wheels. Others, however, need professional assistance. “Checks for lights and engine oil, coolant and water levels in the toad, tire condition and tire pressure can be done by any user,” says Villalobos. “Examinations at other levels, such as brake and alignment inspections, require the assistance of qualified personnel,” he says.
traffic signs
It is important to learn to read the signs by which a car can subtly manifest the need for a visit to the mechanical workshop. Orlando Villalobos shares some examples of subtle symptoms that are important to pay attention to.
“If the car has squeaks or strange noises when braking, lack of power when accelerating, jerking or slipping the clutch, difficulty starting, steering wheel vibrations when driving at certain speeds or when braking, this is a sign that it is necessary to take it to a professional inspection.. If there is a squealing noise from the wheels when turning or visible smoke in the exhaust as well” .
Other key recommendations to ensure safe and enjoyable driving can be found on the blog of automatic fact : make sure that the air conditioning system —air conditioning— is working optimally, as the heat can cause drowsiness. In this same sense, it is very important to check all seat belts.
It is also essential to have the tools to change the tire and carry the necessary safety elements in case it is necessary to stop on the road: this is a reflective vest and a safety triangle . Regarding the tools, there is one that for Jaime Concha is particularly fundamental.
Autostyle reflective triangle 40x40x40 cm
“It is important to learn about safety pins,” he warns. “It’s a special bolt or nut, which goes on each wheel and is used to prevent it from being stolen. Sometimes there are people who don’t know about it, and sometimes they don’t don’t check, especially in some brands like Audi, BMW, Mini, Kia and Peugeot When they have a flat tire or want to do maintenance, they can’t remove the wheel, so they come back in a tow truck or they tear the tyre. It’s very important to have the security key for these locks,” he warns.
Set of security bolts and key DGP M12x1.5
Another essential point for the trip to be pleasant and safe is to learn how to load the luggage in the car in a functional and careful way. There are several tutorials on this that may be helpful.
“It is essential never to leave heavy things high up, but hopefully as low as possible. It is also important to check that packages, boxes and bags are securely fastened together, to form a puzzle so that there is no movement between them,” advises Orellana.
Other recommendations, he says, are to leave as close as possible things of quick or necessary use during the trip, such as food, drink or shelter, in addition to ensuring that in the event of jump or sudden turn, the packages are not thrown. As for fragile things, they should always be left without weight on them. “If possible, I recommend tying down the load or covering it with a blanket, towel or net to protect it,” he concludes.
*Prices for products in this item are updated as of January 18, 2023. Values and availability may change.
Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
