Few things ruin a vacation faster than a breakdown on the side of an unfamiliar highway. The good news is that most road trip breakdowns are preventable. Twenty minutes of pre-trip checks catches almost everything that's likely to leave you stranded.
1. Check Tire Pressure (and the Spare)
Underinflated tires get hot, wear unevenly, and are more likely to blow out at highway speeds. Check pressures cold, before driving. The correct PSI is on the sticker inside the driver's door — not on the tire itself. Don't forget the spare. A flat spare is useless when you really need it.
2. Inspect Tire Tread and Sidewalls
Look at each tire for the wear bars (small raised bars in the tread grooves). If the tread is even with them, the tire is at its legal wear limit and shouldn't be making a road trip. Also check sidewalls for bulges, cuts, or cracks.
3. Test the Battery
Batteries fail more often during temperature extremes — both hot and cold. If yours is over three years old, get it tested before a long trip. A battery that barely starts the car in town might leave you stranded after a few hours of highway driving in summer heat.
4. Check All Fluids
- Engine oil — both level and color
- Coolant — make sure it's at the proper level when the engine is cold
- Transmission fluid (if your vehicle has a dipstick)
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Windshield washer fluid
5. Look at Belts and Hoses
Open the hood. Look at the belts for cracks or fraying. Squeeze the radiator hoses gently — they should feel firm, not soft or bulging. A belt or hose that fails 200 miles from home turns into a tow plus parts plus labor at whatever shop you can find.
6. Test Lights and Wipers
Walk around the vehicle and check that headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and reverse lights all work. Test the wipers and replace them if they're streaking. You'll want them when you're caught in a downpour somewhere unfamiliar.
7. Pack an Emergency Kit
- Jumper cables or jump pack
- Tire pressure gauge
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Basic tools
- First aid kit
- Blanket and water
- Phone charger that works in the vehicle
8. Get a Pre-Trip Inspection
If your vehicle is due for any maintenance, get it done before the trip, not after. A shop can run through the checks above and give you a thumbs up — or catch the small issue that would have stranded you on day three of vacation.
Quick Pre-Trip Checks at Bundy's
At Bundy's Tire & Auto Repair we run pre-road-trip inspections that cover all of this and more. Bring your vehicle by 326 W Mountain Drive in Fayetteville or call (910) 491-1130 a few days before you leave. Twenty minutes of checking now beats hours of waiting for a tow halfway through a vacation.
Need Service?
Bundy's Tire & Auto Repair is at 326 W Mountain Drive in Fayetteville, NC. Call us during business hours or use the after-hours line for roadside emergencies.
📞 (910) 491-1130 Contact Us