5 Ways to take care of your car this Christmas Holiday season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

With the holiday season just around the corner, many families are busy preparing for road travel. 

If you are planning on taking a road trip with your family over the Christmas and New Year period, we have some tips on how you can ensure that your vehicle is ready and in good condition for the road ahead. 

Preparing your car for the holiday season

Getting your car ready for holiday travel is important. Not just from a performance and safety perspective, but also for your comfort. And after all, we all want our holidays to be memorable for good reasons, not because something went wrong!

Taking the time to plan ahead and prepare your car with a little extra care can make all the difference to the smooth running of your travel plans. 

Here are five things that you should do a few weeks ahead of time.

1. Reduce clutter and give your car a good clean

We all accumulate ‘stuff’ in our cars, it just happens. A cluttered vehicle is not only uncomfortable, it can be distracting. Now is a good opportunity to get rid of any rubbish or unneeded items that have collected in your car. 

Give the car a good clean, inside and out – a mini car makeover! It will make all the difference to the comfort of your drive. It is best to use car-specific products rather than just household cleaners, as these can damage your car’s interior and exterior finish. Your local automotive store will be able to recommend appropriate car care products to suit your vehicle. 

If you prefer to leave it to the professionals, consider a car detailing service who can give your car a top to bottom spruce up. 

1. Take a look at your car’s tyres and brakes

The tread on your car’s tyres is important. Without tread, tyres are unable to grip the road safely, making it difficult to turn, stop and accelerate safely. You can check whether your tyres need replacing by taking a look at the tread wear indicators that are moulded into the tyres. 

You should also check the tyre pressure, and take a look at your spare tyre to make sure it’s useable, should it be required on your trip.

Test the brakes; any squeaking or scraping noises should be noted and communicated as soon as possible to our service team. 

If you aren’t sure about checking your tyres and brakes, you can always speak to a team member in our service department and they will be able to give you some expert advice. 

1. Check and top up fluids

Giving your car a basic check and topping up any fluids that may be low, is a simple and effective way to prevent common problems and breakdowns. Fluids like coolant and oil are vital to the efficient running of the engine, so should be checked and filled regularly. 

Your car’s windscreen washer reservoir should also be checked and topped up with water, and the wipers inspected. Adding a windscreen solvent can help to prevent road grime from building up on your travels. 

1. Make sure all your car lights are working correctly

Making sure all your car’s indicators and lights are working is obligatory for everyone’s safety. Take a moment to go through and check headlights, high beams, fog lights, brake lights, indicators and hazard lights are all working. Wipe over the lights with a damp cloth to remove any grime and inspect for any cracks. 

1. Consider booking a car service

A quick glance at your odometer and then at the service sticker on your windscreen will let you know if your car is due for a service. If you are unsure, contact your local Nissan Service Centre and a team member will be able to help. 

It’s also worth checking your odometer when you return from your trip. The holiday kilometers can add up, bringing you closer to your next scheduled service. 

Booking in for a service will allow our team of experts to thoroughly assess your vehicle and fix any issues that may need to be addressed. Our qualified and experienced team will systematically check your car inside and out to make sure it is running safely and efficiently. You can learn more about what we do at Ringwood Nissan Service here. 

Contact Nissan Ringwood Service team before you hit the road

All new vehicles come with a 5-year Nissan Extended Warranty, and whilst Nissan can provide you with 24/7 roadside assistance if you need it, being stuck on the road is an inconvenience; prevention is better than cure! A car service with the Ringwood Nissan Service team before you travel will give you peace of mind for your journey. Of course, we only use Nissan Genuine Parts, for safety and reliability. 

Get in touch with our Nissan service department and let’s have a chat about your car and your holiday plans.