OPEN AIR CAR SHIPPING GUIDE AND PREVENTIVE CAR MAINTENANCE
- Jel Solutions
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
Is Your Car Ready for the Long Haul to San Jose? Learn These Helpful Preventive Maintenance Today for a Stress-free Car Shipping Journey!
Worried about open air car shipping? Transporting your car doesn't have to be a headache. This guide gives you the info you need for safe and easy transport. Learn preventive maintenance for your car and keep it running well with our informative guide tips. Let the San Jose auto transport help you ship securely and drive safely.
Lucky Star Auto Transport service believes that keeping your car in top shape goes beyond just making it last longer - it's a vital part of safe and successful transport. Your vehicle's maintenance becomes your best defense against unexpected problems when you ship your car across state or prepare a safe journey to travel long distances.
This guide offers complete car, truck, and van maintenance guide. Learn about engine, tire, and brake maintenance to keep your vehicle ready. Understand fluid levels and how new engine tech improves car shipping.
PREVENTIVE CAR MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Our maintenance tips come from years in auto transport. Lucky Star shows how good care ensures successful shipping.
The car engine is important and needs consistent care. Engines once wore out around 100,000 miles. Now, maintained engines often last beyond 200,000 miles.
Recommended engine maintenance:
Check Engine Parts Often
Watch Engine Temperature
Listen for Odd Noises
Address Warning Lights Quickly
Follow the Manufacturer's Manual
WHY OIL CHANGES MATTER
Regular oil changes are very important. Clean oil does many things:
It Helps Parts Move Easily
It Stops Parts From Wearing Down
It Keeps the Engine Cool
It Powers Important Controls
It Helps the Engine Use Less Gas
Change oil every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Change oil before long trips, no matter when the last change was.
FLUIDS AND FILTERS
Proper fluid levels are important to shipping cars safely. Check these fluids often:
Engines need transmission, brake, coolant, power steering, and windshield fluids. Each helps your car during transport. Check fluid levels monthly and keep records.
Air and oil filters protect the engine on long trips. Air filters control airflow. Oil filters catch bad stuff that could hurt the engine.
Cars with good records handle trips better than those without. This is key when shipping with us.
TIRE MAINTENANCE
Tire care is important for safe car shipping. Good care makes transport smooth and prevents problems.
WHY TIRE PRESSURE MATTERS
Air pressure, not the tire, supports the car's weight. Correct pressure affects comfort and stability. Check pressure monthly using these steps:
Check When Tires Are Cold
Follow Manufacturer's Recommended PSI
Adjust for Temperature Changes (1 PSI Per 10°f)
Check the Spare Tire, Too
Adjust for Transport Load
CHECKING TREAD DEPTH
Tread depth is important for safety. The penny test works well. Put a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head down. If you see his whole head, you need new tires. Also, watch for uneven wear, which means you might need an alignment.
WEATHER AND TIRES
Weather greatly affects tires. Seasonal changes impact tire pressure. Pressure decreases in cold weather. Always check tire pressure when moving cars in winter. Summer heat also demands careful monitoring.
Modern cars have tire pressure monitors. These systems only warn of major pressure loss. The TPMS alerts drivers when pressure is 25% below normal. We manually check pressure before moving any vehicle. This ensures accuracy, despite TPMS readings. Good tire care is necessary for safe transport. It also protects your investment.
LONG-DISTANCE TRANSPORT BRAKE CARE
Our open air car shipping guide shows how brakes are key for safe, long trips. Proper brake care avoids costly delays and keeps everyone safe.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The braking system is your vehicle's most vital safety feature during transport. Brake pads need replacement every 25,000 to 65,000 miles. Rotors should be replaced between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. These times vary based on use and environment.
CLIMATE TRANSITION
Our transport work shows climate affects brake performance. Vehicles moving between climate zones face brake challenges. Temperature changes greatly affect brake fluid. We advise clients to check brake fluid before long trips.
SIGNS OF BRAKE WEAR
Years on the road have taught us to look for these brake wear signs:
High-pitched Screeching or Squealing When Braking
Grinding Sounds That Mean Bad Pad Wear
Brake Pedal Vibrates or Pulses
Stopping Takes Longer Than Normal
Brake Pedal Feels Soft
Vehicle Pulls to One Side When Braking
IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR INSPECTIONS
These inspection steps are important:
Check Brake Pad Thickness Visually (More Than ¼ Inch)
Look for Rotor Damage or Wear
Inspect Brake Lines for Leaks or Damage
Test Brake Fluid Levels and Condition
Check Caliper Operation
Research shows regular checks prevent 90% of brake issues during transport. Finding problems early keeps everyone safe. It also helps avoid large repair costs.
Brake care protects your investment for auto transport. Maintained brakes ensure smooth transport. They prevent delays and repairs.
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