With South Africa’s holiday season officially over and most of us back at our desks, it’s safe to say that the excitement of road trips is now already becoming a distant memory as the reality of work kicks in.
However, the impact of those trips doesn’t always disappear as quickly. Even motorists who had their cars thoroughly checked before embarking on long drives may find that they are driving with the legacy of wear and tear on their vehicles, which is why it’s a good idea to ask a mechanic to conduct a diagnostic test. You’re certain to have customers who ask for this service in the coming weeks – so remember that to help them get the most out of this exercise, they should also:
- Ensure that daily travel and emergency accessories – like basic tools, the spare wheel, breakdown triangles, jump-start cables, tyre pressure gauge, and first aid kit – have not been displaced.
- Check the tyre pressure (which is sure to have been adjusted to carry heavy loads during the road trip), along with tread and the general condition of all tyres, including the spare. Wheel balance and alignment should also be checked.
- The windscreen may now have small cracks and chips, so do a once-over to ensure it is still intact.
- Lights and indicators should be tested.
- The cooling system (including the cooling fan) must be given a once-over, the radiator inspected for leaks and water and oil levels checked.
- If, instead of being driven over a long distance, the car was parked in a garage during the holidays, the battery’s charging performance may have been affected. This should also be checked.