Don’t Let Your Car Drive You Crazy Away From Home

Road trips are synonymous with summer. There’s nothing more exhilarating than hitting the open road and forgetting about the daily stressors of everyday life. That is, until you run into car issues along the way.

“Regular maintenance can help reduce the risk of car problems during a road trip,” says Darryl Croft, automotive maintenance expert at OK Tire. “But an extra check of the fluids, oil, and tires before leaving gives some added security. So does packing an emergency kit that includes items like foam tire sealant, jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries, water, blanket, candles and a first aid kit.”

Before hitting the road this summer, here is Croft’s checklist of possible problems and how they can be avoided:

A flat tire can sideline your trip. While you can’t avoid a nail or something sharp getting stuck in your tire, an inspection of each one before you head out can reveal signs of uneven wear, improper inflation, or treads worn to the point that they need to be replaced.

Check your brakes before taking that winding mountain drive. Brakes should be regularly inspected for function, as well as the amount of life left in the pads. Also, over time, contaminants may get into the brake fluid, so the system may need to be flushed and filled with fresh fluid.

Failure of the coolant will leave you steaming by the roadside. An inspection of the cooling system will identify leaks and weak hoses. Replacing worn parts and conducting a coolant exchange can ensure your car is road trip worthy.

A faulty transmission could end your trip. The transmission is a complex, and expensive, mechanism that is also the lifeblood of your vehicle. If you typically do a lot of city driving, which involves a lot of stop-and-go traffic, the transmission is likely receiving a lot of wear. It’s important to regularly check, and top up, the transmission fluid to avoid any problems.

Croft points out that these items are all part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. However, their significance increases before any longer than usual drive. A regular, bi-annual inspection by your auto service provider at the start of spring or winter, is an excellent way to avoid car troubles on your next summer road trip.

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