Holidays 2019. How to prepare a car for a trip on vacation?

The long-awaited moment has come - the holidays have begun! Before we go on the desired vacation, we must prepare well in advance. How to plan a trip? What should we check in the car in order to go on vacation without stress and worries?

Relax before vacation

In our busy daily lives, time is of increasing importance. We at Volvo know this very well. That is why we have created a new, possibly simpler way to service cars - Volvo Personal Service. A personal service technician will take care of everything related to your visit to an authorized service center - from making an appointment, checking that all repairs have been completed, to discussing the scope of work performed when the car is handed over. This is a new, unprecedented service standard that makes car maintenance as simple as possible, and as a result, you save your time.

It is also important before the holidays - while you choose the place and way of rest, we comprehensively ensure that your car is ready for the road.

How to prepare the car for a trip on vacation?

What should be checked in the car before a vacation and long trips, hundreds or even thousands of kilometers? First of all, take care of the safety of yourself, family, pedestrians and other road users.

The first item on the long-distance car's checklist should be the braking system. During the inspection, a qualified mechanic will check the condition of the brake pads and discs. However, the control of the brakes in the car does not end there. The quality of the brake fluid is of key importance, especially in summer when high temperatures put a lot of stress on the braking system. While on the road, we sometimes have to slow down the vehicle at high speeds - in order to maintain the parameters of the braking system in such conditions, make sure that the brake fluid and brake hoses are in perfect condition.

In summer, every responsible driver uses summer tires, but before a long trip, it is worth checking the condition of the tires. Make sure that the rubber does not crack or burst in less visible areas of the tire - a thorough check of the condition of the tires will help to jack up the car, which will allow you to carefully examine the tires from all sides. . Also check the pressure level in all tires.

See also: The first trip of the new Opel Zafira

Now that your personal service technician has checked your brake system and tires, it's time to check your suspension. The condition of shock absorbers and correctly adjusted wheel geometry is not only safety, but also comfort on the road, which is especially important when traveling on a longer route on vacation, where we go to relax.

For ease of travel, it is worth replacing the cabin filter before going on vacation. Provides high air quality in the passenger compartment, which is especially sensitive to children and allergy sufferers. In summer, it pollinates many trees and plants, spreading allergens along the way - a high-quality cabin filter will prevent them from getting inside the car. However, the full protection effect will only be provided by a new, fully effective filter. The difference between a new and a worn out cabin filter can be seen with the naked eye.

When replacing the cabin filter, your mechanic will check the condition of the other filters in the car - air, oil and fuel as part of the comprehensive preparation of the car for the holiday. Their regular replacement will ensure trouble-free operation of the engine during long trips on hot days.

Since the holidays are the hottest time of the year, make sure your car's air conditioner is in good condition. It is best to entrust this operation to a personal service technician who, using specialized tools, will check the tightness of the air conditioning system and, if necessary, replenish the refrigerant level, which will ensure a pleasant coolness in the car.

In the summer, drivers often overlook and neglect their car wipers. This is a mistake, because the holidays are not only associated with high temperatures and scorching sun, but often with strong and violent storms. Short-term, but also intense precipitation makes it difficult for the wipers to work, so it’s worth making sure that they are in good condition and can effectively remove water from the glass, giving us good visibility while driving.

Finally, a reminder of the next part, the importance of which we often underestimate in the summer. I'm talking about the battery. Most often, we, as drivers, think about it in winter, wanting to avoid problems with starting the car after the onset of frost. However, during summer holidays, when the air temperature often exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, the battery can be no less heavily loaded, for example, a hard and constantly running air conditioning system. Therefore, before going on vacation, check the condition of the battery and its charge level, and if necessary, replace it with a new, fully functional one.

The car is ready to go. And you?

Tmy car is already checked and ready to go. By entrusting repairs to an authorized Volvo workshop, you will have more time for other activities, ensuring a smooth path to your dream vacation.

A vacation is a great opportunity to equip your car with accessories that will come in handy on a long journey and outdoor activities. Planning to take a bike or board for water sports? Install a special trunk on your car. Are you running out of space in your trunk? Think roof rack. Do you want your passengers to arrive completely refreshed? Buy ergonomic seat cushions. You can find these and other interesting accessories at any authorized Volvo dealer.

To avoid unnecessary stress and haste, do not forget to plan your route in advance. A destination selected in the browser on your home computer can be conveniently sent directly to your car's navigation system using the Volvo On Call app. On the route, do not miss the points provided for stops - do not forget to take regular rest on the route in order to safely and in full health reach your destination.

When the departure date is close, make sure that all luggage in the car is properly distributed. Avoid storing unnecessary things in the passenger compartment, which in the event of an accident can become a serious threat to passengers. Pack unnecessary things in the trunk or lock them in the compartments located inside.

Time to go! Adventure and relaxation await you. Take a bottle of mineral water in your car and enjoy the ride. Avoid rushing and you'll start your vacation before you get to your destination, but as you drive out of your garage or backyard parking lot.

See also: What you need to know about the battery