7 things you should check on your car before leaving for Easter

Holy Week is approaching, a time of reflection and religious celebration for some, and a well-deserved rest for others. That's why many will take advantage of the long weekend that Holy Week offers to go on vacation. Whether it's to the beautiful island of Ibiza, the spectacular city of Málaga and Ronda, or the beautiful beaches of Catalonia... However, if you want to avoid future headaches, you should check the condition of your vehicle so that a breakdown doesn't ruin your well-deserved vacation. That's why today we bring you these 7 points you should check if you want your car to be in top condition so you can fully enjoy Holy Week.

1 - Tires: A fundamental part for the safety of your vehicle (and yours). They are the only part of your car that is in constant contact with the road. So before you head off on your long weekend, it's very important to check that your tire pressure is correct and that the treads aren't too worn. A tire with low air pressure or worn treads tends to slip more, significantly increasing your braking distance.

2 - Oil Level: Your engine, like any other, uses lubricating oil to prevent wear from friction on its internal parts. If the oil level drops, the risk of wear from friction increases. That's why you should check the oil level frequently. A low oil level for an extended period will eventually lead to engine wear.

3 - Windshield Wipers: They have a water reservoir that should always be full. Otherwise, instead of cleaning, it can actually cover our windshield with dirt, doing the exact opposite of its intended purpose. This reduces our field of vision and, therefore, our safety on the road.

4 - Lights: We must ensure that the lights are properly adjusted. This should be checked systematically, using a headlight tester and a simple screwdriver.

5 - Brake Fluid and Hoses: This check is as easy to perform as it is essential. To check if the pressure is correct, simply press the brake pedal and check the level in the reservoir. The hoses can be visually inspected to ensure they are not cracked or dried out.

6 - The Battery: If you don't want to be stranded halfway between home and your chosen vacation spot, you should check that your vehicle's battery is in good condition. There are three checks you should perform to ensure your battery is in good working order:

1 - Check that there is no corrosion on the terminals.

2 - Verify that the battery is not leaking fluid.

3 - Verify that the battery is outputting the correct voltage for its condition. To do this, charge the battery to 100%, taking into account the charging time indicated in your car's manual. If, after this time, the battery does not return the expected voltage, it may be time to replace the battery.

Charge Percentage Volts Status
90-100% 13 Freshly charged
60-80% 12.3-12.5 Charged
40% 12.1 Limited charge
20% 11.9 Requires charging
0% > 11.6 Completely discharged

7- Suspension, Ignition, and Injection: The car's suspension helps it withstand the impacts it experiences while driving on different types of terrain or roads. We should check its condition by verifying fluid loss in the shock absorbers, the car's body roll while driving, and the car's levelness when parked on a flat surface (that it doesn't lean to one side). We check the ignition and injection by starting the car; if it takes too long, we shouldn't Don't wait too long to visit the garage.

Bonus track: The ECU

If the engine of our vehicle is the heart, the ECU, or control unit, could be considered the brain.

ECUs—since it's common to find more than one—are small computers responsible for ensuring our car functions correctly. There are usually three: the engine control unit, the ABS control unit, and the comfort control unit.

The first is responsible for the correct operation of the engine, the second for the operation of the ABS system, and the third for everything related to user comfort (air conditioning, door locks, windshield wipers, etc.).

If you notice that you can't lock the car on the first try, the engine jerks when accelerating, the power windows malfunction, or intermittent failures in the interior lights, you are likely experiencing a problem with the ECU.