Cost Savings Tips

Are You Ready For The Road?

Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance. For example, the U. S. Department of Transportation reports the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on our nation's highways is overheating, a condition that is easily avoidable. Other deficiencies that are simple to detect include low antifreeze/coolant, worn or loose drive belts and defective cooling system hoses.

Checking tire pressure and inflating a tire costs nothing, yet an average of 21 percent of cars inspected in check lanes during National Car Care Month have under inflated tires. This can lead to a blowout and a serious accident.

A 10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off

Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-trip checklist:

Check All Fluids

The first part of our preventative maintenance program deals with your vehicle's fluids. Your car needs these fluids to keep running smoothly and prevent overheating. Most of our fluid change services are completed quickly so you can get back on the road in Arlington, TX.

Our technicians are happy to monitor and refill your engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, power steering and wiper fluids. We also perform checks on your radiator to ensure there are no small leaks caused by stones and other road debris.

Check Hoses and Belts

Your car's timing belts are extremely important to examine during the course of preventative maintenance. There are a number of events that need to take place for one full revolution of your car's engine. These belts ensure that they all line up with each other, and occur at exactly the right moment.

Should the belts become damaged or break, the events can fall out of sync and happen at the wrong time, which can be seriously detrimental to the health of your engine and your car overall. Westmoreland Transmissions ensures that all your car's belts are healthy, and that all of those events keep happening at exactly the right time.

Check The Tires

Regular tire maintenance is crucial for safe and efficient driving. Start by checking the inflation of your tires, as maintaining the correct tire pressure is essential for optimal performance. Under-inflated tires can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and uneven wear. Conversely, over-inflated tires can compromise traction and handling. Inspecting the tread pattern is equally important.

Look for signs of uneven wear, which may suggest the need for a wheel alignment. Proper alignment ensures that all four tires are making consistent contact with the road, extending tire life and improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, check for bulges and bald spots on the tire surface, as these can indicate structural damage or tire wear that requires immediate attention.

In Summary

Not only can a pre-trip inspection help reduce chances of costly and possibly dangerous road trouble, it also provides an opportunity to have repairs made at home, with one's own technician who knows the vehicle. Especially important, it provides peace of mind. While no inspection can guarantee a car's performance, it's comforting to know proper precautions were taken.

"While a last minute checkup is better than no checkup, motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility. A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps," said the Car Care Council's Executive Director, Rich White.