Steps to maintain your car before going home for Tet

The New Year holiday is approaching. It is expected that workers will have 4 consecutive days off. Many families have planned to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet, while others have chosen to travel far from home.

With a journey of hundreds of kilometers, drivers should plan to check and repair their vehicles carefully to avoid vehicle breakdowns and accidents along the way. The specific steps are as follows:

Check engine oil

First, open the hood of the car, take the dipstick and clean it. Then insert the dipstick into the engine and pull it out slowly and observe carefully. If the oil level is between min and max, it proves that the oil in the engine is still full to ensure the operation.

If the oil level is lower than normal, even if it is not time to change it, you should still add more to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

Check coolant

Coolant absorbs heat from the engine and keeps it running cooler than water. Without coolant, the engine will overheat and can cause serious damage.

We should add coolant to the max point of the auxiliary tank. In case the car does not have an auxiliary tank, you can open the radiator cap and check the amount of water in it. If it is low, you can add more water. The mixing ratio of coolant and regular water is 50/50 for the best effect.

Brake fluid, brake pads

After a long time of use, brake fluid will wear out or contain residue, affecting safety when traveling on the road, so it needs to be checked and replaced promptly.

Drivers should monitor the oil level in the reservoir. To be safe, the oil level should be between the “Max” and “Min” marks. If the oil turns pale yellow or moss green, the brake fluid should be replaced.

Along with brake fluid, brake pads must also be in the best working condition. When you see abnormal signs in your vehicle such as the brake pedal feels light, touches the floor but does not work; makes a squealing, screeching sound; the vehicle swerves to one side when braking, you must urgently replace the brake pads.

Tires

Tire inspection is the most important thing to do when going on a long trip. Pay attention to tire wear, large cracks. Rotate tires if necessary.

Before setting off, make sure your tire pressure is at the right level, not too high or too low. It is best to have a spare tire with your basic car repair kit.

Traffic light system

Lights and signals are especially important when driving at night. To check, turn on the headlights, shift to P, then step outside to observe. Repeat with the left and right turn signals. Use a brick or heavy object to block the brake pedal and then go to the back to check the taillights.

You can stick a layer of tape, plastic, etc. on the front of the car to make it easier to clean if insects get on it while driving at night.

Battery

Normally, batteries have a lifespan of 2-3 years depending on the brand. But to be careful, you should still check before going far. Many people have had to face the situation of "running out of battery" in the middle of the road and had to call the rescue service.

First we need to check the electrodes located on the top of the tank cap. Make sure that all electrodes are firmly connected and there are no strange phenomena such as burning, strange color or liquid leaking from inside the tank.

If when starting the car, the engine sounds slower than usual, it is a sign that the battery is about to run out of power.

Things to bring

For long trips, you should bring towels and necessary hygiene items. Keep a spare key in your wallet in case you forget the key in the car. Bring coffee, Red Bull and other drinks to prevent drowsiness.