Travelling by vehicle this summer? How about making sure your vehicle is ready for action?

By Jim Bray
July 19, 2024

Flying used to be fun to me. I've always been an aviation buff, my father flew in World War II, and in the early 1980's I realized a dream and got a pilot's license myself.

But flying commercially now (I haven't flown privately for years, alas) is nothing but a major pain in the buttocks. Whether it's obtrusive security screening that always seems to give special attention to those who don't fit the "terrorist profile" (grandmothers, etc.), airlines who apparently don't give a damn about the people who pay their salaries, airplane manufacturers who seem to be slacking off in their quality control, or just the layers of bureaucracy - from government to corporate – that strangle what used to be a pleasant and even fun experience, I'm at the point in my life where I'd rather not fly any more.

Hence the summer driving vacation! Two years ago, we drove from Calgary to Ottawa and back to visit my aging father. We did it in my wife's RAV4, and though it took four days each way it was a nice way for my wife and I to bond (not that we needed to, after 50 years together...) as well as a nice way to see the country.

We aren't planning such a trip his year, but will manage to sneak in a few road trips anyway, even if they aren't overnight excursions. And while some of these will undoubtedly be in media cars I'm reviewing, they won't all be. And this is why I want to ensure our vehicles are ready for whatever we throw at them.

Taking care of some basic maintenance doesn't take a lot of work, or attention, and it not only can help ensure you get where you're going, and back, it's better for the life of your vehicle, especially if you plan to keep it for a few more years.

Though you're probably never heard of him, Richard (Rich) McClellan, founder of Franklin, Tennessee's Elite Customs, LLC, is offering what his press release calls "a few essential car maintenance tips to ensure your road trip is smooth, safe, and enjoyable."

Dunno how enjoyable a trip could be in a well-maintained car populated by back seat drivers, but the maintenance advice makes sense.

McClellan, whose business boasts itself as "a premier custom luxury car shop", has put together a guide meant to help you do that travelling without spending a lot of time on the side of the road or at repair facilities.

First up, and this is something many people don't do, is:

Check Tires and Spare. "Before hitting the road, check the condition of all your tires for any signs of wear and tear, such as uneven tread wear, cracks, or bulges. Ensure your tires have adequate tread depth for traction and safety."

You may not have the knowledge or ability to do this, but a quick visit to pretty well any tire store will get it done for you, probably for free. They'll also check your tires' inflation, something that should be done often anyway.

You should also check that your spare tire is in good condition and inflated properly. McClellan says "ensure you have all the necessary tools to change a tire, including a jack, lug wrench, and the vehicle's manual. Knowing how to use these tools is equally important." Don't forget you may need a special lug nut key as well, one of those thingies designed to fight theft.

If you do get a flat tire, you need to deal with it when it happens, and that means not crashing when it blows. I've never had such a blowout – usually if I have a flat tire it goes flat in the garage, fortunately – but if it does happen to you, don't jam on the brakes. Instead, ease off the gas and let the car slow down naturally while you find a place to pull off the road.

Once you've done that safely, McClellan advises you to "use the jack to lift the car, remove the flat tire with the lug wrench, and replace it with the spare. Tighten the lug nuts and lower the car back to the ground."

Or you could call your local auto club, if you're a member. This might not be nearly as quick, but you won't get your hands dirty.

Check your fluids. Well, not yours exactly, but your vehicle's! Checking the oil is first, and it's easy to do unless your car has a stupidly designed dipstick like my A4 does. Take the dipstick out, wipe it clean on a paper towel (or your passenger's sleeve, or whatever), then put it back in and take a reading when you take it out again. Probably do this a couple of times in succession so you're getting accurate info.

If the oil is below the "add oil" mark, top it up with the correct type for your engine and make sure it's the right type of oil (synthetic versus non, etc.). McLellan suggests that you think about getting an oil change as well, if it's been a while since the last one.

Next, McClellan suggests taking a boo at your transmission fluid, if you drive an automatic. Why? "Low or dirty fluid can cause shifting issues."

Do the same for your brake fluid – if it's low you could have a leak, McClellan points out, or you could have worn brake pads. Ditto for the engine coolant, which if low could lead to your engine overheating.

And of course, ensure your windshield washer reservoir is full.

Most of these fluids have reservoirs in the engine compartment and they're usually pretty easy to find.

There's also the issue of brakes which, if they don't work, can be embarrassing, dangerous and/or even fatal. Expensive, too!

McClellan suggests you "look at the brake pads through the wheels. If they appear thin (less than a quarter inch), they likely need to be replaced. Listen for unusual sounds, such as squeaking or grinding, indicating worn pads." Squeaking could also indicate they're just dirty, which should be cheaper to fix.

If the brake pads are worn, you're probably better off having them replaced right away, to avoid damaging the rotors.

An En-"lightening" trip?

Lighting isn't just for night driving! Even if you don't plan to drive at night, your vehicle's lights should be working properly all the time even if – as I see regularly around here – you don't use them when you need them (I'm thinking mostly of signal lights here…). Remember, too, you'll want your lights functioning even if it's just in case you hit lousy weather.

"How to Check: Turn on the headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and blinkers. Walk around the vehicle to ensure all lights are working properly. Check reverse lights and interior lights as well."

Obviously, this will take more than one trip around the car, if only because you can't have your left and right signal lights on at the same time. Four-way flashers can let you know if a bulb is burned out, but not whether the lights themselves are working correctly (flashing when they should…).

If you have burned-out bulbs (outside – interior ones can be dealt with later if they're just vanity lights, etc.), replace them immediately. McClellan says most bulbs can be easily replaced with basic tools, and he's right. But you also need some basic knowledge as well as the tools. "Refer to your vehicle's manual for correct bulb types and replacement instructions."

I tried replacing a rear light on my A4 wagon, after watching a YouTube video. It looked perfectly straightforward, so I dove in – but I lacked the tools and wasn't about to buy them for one lousy light bulb. So, I paid a pro.

As McClellan says, "performing these essential maintenance checks can prevent many common car issues that could ruin your road trip. By ensuring your tires, fluids, brakes, and lights are in good condition, you'll enhance your vehicle's reliability and safety, giving you peace of mind as you embark on your journey."

Not only that, but you'll help extend the life of your vehicle as well as potentially saving yourself from major expenses down the road.

Happy Motoring!