School Holiday Car Care
Published September 14th, 2021
School Holidays are on the way and if you can hit the road for a trip, tow significant weight and drive long distances in the warmer weather, it is important to ensure your car is performing at its peak.
A Midas Free Five Point Safety Check is a great first step, ensuring that all the key functions of your vehicle are operating perfectly.
A car that has been driven in start and stop traffic conditions for months can generate a number of tyre, brake and shock absorber wear issues, which should be checked before heading out on long drives, particularly when towing, as this completely changes the vehicle’s stopping, turning and emergency brake response characteristics.
Some people think that if they drive a large 4WD, SUV or commercial vehicle that these checks are not needed, this is not the case. While some models are larger and stronger, they are still susceptible to the same wear and tear that all vehicles are exposed to, in some cases more so than normal passenger cars because of the constant loads they carry, along with the more demanding roads they may be regularly driven on.
If State Government enforced restrictions are stopping you from heading out onto the road for long trips, this period is still a great time to ensure all is well with your car.
Unlike the 70’s and 80’s, home car maintenance is nowhere near as detailed as it used to be as cars these days can analyse themselves, as long as their ECU (Engine Control Unit) is working efficiently. If you suspect that your car isn’t performing properly or if you have warning lights appearing, your local Midas technician can run an ECU Health Check to ensure your car’s brain is working as it should.
Checking tyre air pressures at home or at a service station is also imperative to reducing tyre wear, increasing fuel efficiency and ensuring prompt steering and brake response.
Another handy check is to push down heavily on each corner of the car and let go. If the car rights itself within one movement, your shock absorbers are in good condition, however, if it takes more than one movement to right itself, they should be checked. This is a simple yet highly effective way of checking how well your tyres are stuck to the road – any shock absorber “bouncing” means less tyre contact with the road, which increases emergency stopping distances dramatically.
Be safe out on the roads these school holidays, contact your local Midas store anytime if you are unsure and need professional assistance.