WHAT MOVES YOU? VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BEFORE YOUR MOVE

 

 Written By:  Maurice Schell, Automotivation Inc. – Lombard, IL

What moves you?  Your Car-It’s second nature to us.  We rely on our vehicles for everything from retrieving living essentials to vacationing.  During long distance moves or interstate moves, the maintenance of a vehicle is more important than ever.

Now that your Moving, did you give any thought as to whether your car is ready?  Have you been regular in the repair and maintenance of your vehicle?

Before you move you should do the following maintenance to your vehicle:

• Complete Visual inspection
• Check tire pressure, tread depth and age of tires
• Inspect brakes for wear and fluid leaks
• Pressure check cooling system for leaks and hoses for weakness
• Inspect Serpentine belt or fan belts for cracks
• Check physical condition of battery and cables.  Load test battery and alternator output
• Perform starter draw test
• Check engine oil-should be fresh or clean
• Check transmission oil-should be red without “burnt smell”
• Check that the engine is in the proper state of tune
• Review all lights and signals
• Scan vehicle computer for codes.  Any “check engine” light requires repair before your move

REVIEW VEHICLE HISTORY

Have you kept good records of your vehicle repairs and maintenance?  Did you have a relationship with your repair facility that can provide you a “history” of repairs with dates along with mileage?  Having a good history will help you when the time comes for your next repair.  Should a part previously installed in the vehicle fail, you might have a warranty; otherwise having good records can provide you peace of mind in your new town.  This preventative medicine can help your long distance move flows a little smoother and reduce your areas of concern by one.