Every holiday period involves trips, longs drives and lots of planning. Wherever you are going, you need to take some precautions before taking the road. Here are some tips to drive safely and start your trip with no issues!
They are essential in case of heavy rain or to remove dirt. There are different signs that show your windscreen wipers should be changed: if it has difficulty sliding, rubbing noises or strange movements… Sometimes it can just mean they need to be clean. Grab a cloth and clean them. You could save some money and troubles!
Headlights, indicators and rear lights need to be checked before any holiday departure. Their good working condition will enable other drivers to see you and also to keep you safe and to avoid fines. Ask a family member or a neighbour to help you check!
If you see damage or imperfections and worry it might be serious, ask you Point S mechanic during your next visit. It is important to take care of deep cracks and chips in the glass as it can be dangerous.
In good auto maintenance practices, tyres should be checked every 5,000 kms.
During summer, one of the reasons why the engine overheats is the radiator or a problem stemming from a fluid leak. When you stop your car, if you see a green, orange or yellow liquid under your car, it means there is a cooling liquid leak. You need to fix the problem before doing any long drive.
The oil, refrigerant (for the air-conditioning) and wiper fluid must be checked. A lack of oil can damage the engine and the lack of refrigerant can break the air-conditioning system. Those fixes are very expensive, that is why it is important to check those liquids levels regularly.
Power steering fluid and transmission fluid must be checked as well. If you have difficulty turning your vehicle and your steering wheel vibrates a lot when you stop, it means there is a lack of power steering liquid. Transmission fluid must be checked as well, especially if your car has a lot a mileage.
Make sure this aspect is checked during your next visit. Changing a belt isn’t expensive but repairing a damage caused by a broken belt is. The belt must be checked every 75,000 kms to 130,000 kms depending on your vehicle, by someone experienced.
If you hear noises when you drive over potholes, your exhaust pipe might be detached. Most of the time, this fix just requires a little welding. When looking under your vehicle, pay attention to rust. If the rust has been there for a long time, it could break certain components when your car receives impacts. Have the rust on your car checked by a certified centre.
There are essential for your safety and other drivers’ safety. When you brake, and you feel that your braking distances increased and that when it is raining it is even worse, have your car checked immediately. Usually, brakes should be checked every 6 months.
If you are unsure, ask your mechanic. It is good to check the battery every 3 months.
First aid-kit, spare tyres and tools must be in good condition. Also check that all your papers are up-to-date such as your license.
If you have all of these checked, you can drive with peace of mind while feeling safe in your vehicle.
However, if you'd rather have your vehicle checked by a professional, make an appointment directly with one of our experts!
At Point S, the level of service is standardised in all the points of sale to ensure the best experience for all our customers.
Point S offers you the guarantee that we will change your tyres in one hour maximum, otherwise you will get your money back!
At Point S you'll always find the best quality of service at the right price: our network offers competitive pricing for both our products and services.