Few situations are more annoying than experiencing a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road, especially when you’re still a long way from your destination. To lower your car’s chances of breaking down, you can do these five steps to keep your vehicle’s systems well-maintained and in prime working condition.
Preventative Steps
1. Get your car serviced regularly.
Staying up to date on vehicle maintenance is important for consistent vehicle performance. Although some vehicle owners may be tempted to skip a service appointment due to cost, it’s always cheaper to prevent issues from happening in the first place than to address them after they occur. A professional mechanic can use these maintenance checks to identify any elements of your vehicle that need repair or replacement so that they don’t fail on you in the future.
2. Keep your engine oil topped up.
Engine oil is essential to keep the many moving parts of your vehicle’s engine lubricated and cooled. As a general rule of thumb, engine oil should be replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles with top-ups in between as necessary to keep oil at an adequate level. If your engine oil light turns on, pull over immediately to prevent your car from overheating.
3. Ensure your tires are in good shape.
Your car’s tires take a beating, so it’s important to check them frequently. Since nobody wants a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, be sure to monitor your tire depth and pressure and change out your tires when they become unsuitable for use. It’s also wise to keep a spare tire and the tools to change it in the back of your car, just in case.
4. Don’t ignore warning lights.
Warning lights can be annoying, but they exist for a reason. If you see a concerning warning indicator light up on your dashboard, take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible so that the problem can be diagnosed and fixed. Similarly, if you hear an odd noise or notice a change in the way your car feels, take it to a professional since those things can also indicate an issue.
5. Don’t overload your vehicle.
Road trips are often whole-family affairs, which is a lot of fun but can put a lot of stress on your car. Weighing down your car with extra people, luggage, or equipment to haul can strain the mechanical systems and, in addition to giving you lower gas mileage, trigger issues with the brakes, suspension, or other components.
Reliable Towing in Utah
Unfortunately, even if you follow all of these tips, there’s still a chance that you might find yourself on the side of a ride with a broken-down vehicle. If that’s the case, you can rely on a vehicle towing company for help.
If you’re in Southern Utah, SG3 Towing & Recovery is available to provide 24/7 towing services and full roadside assistance so you can get back on the road as soon as possible. We provide some of the quickest response times in the region and even offer towing services in off-road locations. Contact us or request a free quote today.
