During the Qingming Festival, taking advantage of the three-day holiday, many families return to their hometowns to honor ancestors or gather friends for a short self-driving trip, making the most of these bright or refreshing spring days. However, many family vehicles are city-road-oriented sedans, and after any length of self-driving journey—short or long—the car needs inspection and maintenance. Just as we adjust our mindset to re-engage in work, study, and life, a well-serviced vehicle can also better return to optimal driving condition on urban roads.
Give your beloved car a good wash
Depending on the self-driving route, your car may encounter varying degrees of contamination. Bird droppings and the sticky residues left by insect collisions can damage the paintwork. Car owners must not neglect proper cleaning just because it’s troublesome. Always use professional cleaning tools; trying to scrape off residues with your fingernails may scratch the paint and leave permanent marks.
There are many hidden areas on the body of the car that can accumulate dirt even during a short trip. If not cleaned in time, they may become potential hazards. The sealing rubber strips on the car body are one such often-overlooked spot—car owners should pay extra attention when washing their vehicle.
Take good care of your car’s “feet”
For self-driving trips, the parts that suffer the most wear are undoubtedly the tires and brake pads. Flying gravel along the way can easily stick to the brake pads, and when you press the brakes, those stones may scratch them. Tire treads can also trap many small rocks. Though they may seem harmless, these uninvited guests can lead to tire bulging or even blowouts if left unchecked over time. Be sure to clean them out and also do a tire pressure check.
Give your car the “three dishes and one soup” treatment
After a few days of self-driving, when we get home, we often cook a nice meal to reward ourselves. The same goes for our cars. It's essential to promptly check the engine oil, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and antifreeze. If you find any of these vital “soups and dishes” running low, top them up in time to avoid future driving issues.
Many car owners may notice steering wheel vibrations upon returning. This could be due to harsh driving conditions or poor road surfaces. Getting a wheel alignment or dynamic balancing can solve these problems.
All in all, cars have become a reliable companion for most families in daily life and travel. Only with careful maintenance can your car avoid leaving you stranded on the side of the road on your next trip. As veteran drivers often say, “It’s three parts driving, seven parts maintenance.” There’s a lot of truth in that.