Be summer road trip ready with Sunshine Toyota's pre-holiday checklist!

With summer holidays just around the corner it’s important to make sure your car isn’t going to let you down when you up the beach or in another state.  Follow our quick and easy Pre-holiday checks to ensure your well-earned trip isn’t cut short. 

1.    Fluid Levels

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s an easy one to forget in all the pre-holiday excitement. It’s not just you who needs to keep their fluids topped up in hot summer weather, your car also needs the right levels of oil, water, and coolant to keep it running at its best. When checking your levels, make sure the engine has cooled and the car is positioned flat so your reading isn’t affected by an uneven surface.

2.    Wiper blades

Driving through a Queensland thunderstorm is not the best place to find out your car’s wipers are leaving smeary marks on the windscreen, so check in advance that they’re not frayed or brittle and cracking.

3.    Lights

From brake bulbs to full beams, check that all your lights are working before setting off. If you are planning on traveling somewhere remote, it wouldn’t hurt to carry some extra bulbs with you.

4.    Check your insurance and breakdown cover

If you’re road-tripping this summer, it’s a good idea to make sure your existing insurer supplies the cover you need, especially if you’re planning to an off-road journey. It is also worth organising breakdown assistance, just encase it’s not just a flat tyre you have to repair. 

5.    Wheels and tyres

Tyre upkeep should be a priority for all drivers, and pre-holiday maintenance is no exception. Minimum legal tread depth is 1.5mm. Use the ‘20p check’ to get a better idea of your tread depth and if in doubt book in to see one of your service technicians! Don’t forget to check your tyre pressures and give them a visual once-over for any cracks and bulges before your trip.

6.    Flat Tyre Essentials

The potential for a flat increases on a long journey, which means for a quick repair you’re going to have to remember your car jack, locking wheel nut key, and of course your spare tyre. It’s best to always store them safely in the boot just encase! 

If you’re ever in doubt, book in to see one of our highly qualified Toyota technicians before you hit the road! Once you’ve completed your checks and carried out all the required maintenance, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your car is in tip-top condition, ready take you on a hassle-free and memorable holiday

How to Tell if Your Car's Aircon Needs a Service

With summer just around the corner, having a working air conditioner in your car is an absolute essential!  There's nothing as frustrating as getting into your car on a hot Sunshine Coast summer's day only to be greeted by warm stuffy air, despite the fact your air conditioning is cranked to full blast. We’ve put together a list of warning signs that you can get on top it before it gets too hot!

1. Your cold air isn’t cold enough

If you’re finding yourself hopping into your hot car, cranking the aircon up full blast and still sweating, then you might be running low on refrigerant.

2. Taking longer to cool down

If your aircon is taking longer than usual for the interior of your car to cool down then there may be an insufficient amount of refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system due to leaks. If the problem is not addressed immediately, it could put a lot of strain on your car aircon system.

3. You hear strange noises coming from the system

Any sort of banging, rattling, grinding or squealing sounds coming from your vents is not a good sign. These noises could be directly related to your air conditioning system. Best to get this checked out before your air conditioning system goes out completely!

4. There is a bad smell coming from your vents

Just like your shower at home, aircon systems can grow mould! This problem cannot be ignored because breathing in mould is not safe for humans and could cause allergic reactions and other breathing-related problems.

If you experience any of the above signs, then it’s time to book your car in for an air conditioning service by one of our qualified Toyota technicians. Our team are Sunshine Toyota are always happy to help. So, if you're unsure or have any question about your air conditioning system, please contact us on 5493 3900.