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 for Tet, while others have chosen to travel far away from home.

With a journey of hundreds of kilometers, drivers should plan to check and repair their vehicles carefully to avoid 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's not time to change it, you should still add more to prevent unexpected situations.

Check the coolant

Coolant absorbs heat from the engine and keeps it running cooler than water alone. 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 fill it up. The mixing ratio of coolant and 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 fluid level in the reservoir. To be safe, the fluid level should be between the “Max” and “Min” marks. If the fluid 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 the car showing unusual signs such as the brake pedal feels light, touches the floor but does not work; makes a squealing, squealing sound; the car 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 and 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, and 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. in front of the car's hood 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 on a long trip. 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 sound is slower than normal, 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.