To enjoy your road trip, your Mazda must be in great shape. As your Mazda dealership, we want to tell you about some travel prep services we offer so you and your vehicle are ready for the open road.
3 Travel Prep Services Available at Your Mazda Dealership
Air Filter Replacement
Your engine requires air and fuel to work efficiently. This may seem strange, but the air is vital, as fuel can’t burn correctly without it. The air used in computation enters through the radiator grille and then passes into the engine air filter. The filter has concertina-like folds that trap dirt and other debris so only clean air passes into the engine to mix with the fuel.
As time passes, the filter will become blocked by dirt, restricting airflow. If your engine doesn’t get enough air, the fuel-to-air ratio turns fuel-rich. Since fuel can’t burn without air, as we saw above, much of the fuel is wasted by being forced unburnt into the exhaust system. A fuel-rich engine can misfire or stall, and wear and tear on engine components, like the spark plugs, will increase. We can replace the filter in minutes to fix this problem.
Tire Checks
Healthy tires are essential for safe driving, particularly when you’re headed on a long trip. Their tread slowly wears down due to surface friction, and a thin tread can make it difficult to control your vehicle on wet, muddy, or snowy surfaces. Your braking distance also increases as the thin tread takes longer to stop your vehicle since it can’t grip the surface as easily as it should.
Correct tire pressure is also important, as over- or underinflated tires suffer more damage as you drive and are prone to leaks or blowouts. Our Mazda-trained technicians will examine your tires and correct any inflation or balance issues they find. They can also advise on tire condition, and if one or more of your tires are worn, they will replace them while you wait.
Fluid Checks
Your Mazda’s systems use many different fluids to work effectively. These fluids include brake fluid, oil, power steering fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid. All these fluids become less efficient as they age, and older fluids can cause problems. Old coolant, for example, is slower to remove heat. This can cause your engine to overheat and potentially suffer major damage.
Rust or damage to a system can cause a leak, and fluid will be lost. Low brake fluid makes it difficult to stop when needed, and this can result in an accident, while low power steering fluid reduces your ability to steer as the wheel becomes difficult to turn. We test each fluid to ensure it’s in good condition and top it up if needed.
Book your road trip maintenance today by contacting us at Alexandria Mazda in Alexandria, MN.
