Before you and the family take to the highways for that long-planned road trip, you need to be sure that your vehicle is safe and in good condition. Being stranded by the side of the road is a distressing experience. A roadside breakdown involves more than just an unexpected repair bill. Towing charges, lodging, meals, delay and possibly a rental car can become part of the scenario. Often such a breakdown could have been prevented by a pre-trip inspection and some preventive maintenance by a qualified Delaware, Ohio mechanic.

Here are some pre-trip auto inspection tips:

• Check the tires for wear and balance. Rotate if necessary, rebalance, get new tire(s) if needed and inflate to proper pressure.
• Check the brakes, and repair them if needed.
• Check the windshield wipers for wear, and replace if needed.
• Evaluate engine performance, repair if needed. Any oil leaks? Odd noises?
• Check all fluids (brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield washer solvent, antifreeze). Replenish as needed and fix any leaks.
• Evaluate the electrical system and battery; repair as needed. Change the battery if it is near expiration.
• Check all lights and replace any if necessary.
• Check the air conditioning, heater, and defroster.

Apart from helping to avoid a costly and perhaps dangerous breakdown, a pre-trip inspection and maintenance offers the advantage of having the repairs done at home and at your convenience, with your own mechanic who knows your vehicle and you.

The ASE-certified mechanics at our Oxford Auto car repair center in Delaware, Ohio, will check over your car thoroughly and repair whatever is needed, greatly increasing your odds for a safe and enjoyable trip. No inspection can absolutely guarantee a vehicle's performance, but you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you took all reasonable precautions.