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The countdown is officially on. You’ve requested the time off work, the hotel reservations are locked in, and the suitcases are open on the bedroom floor. There is a palpable buzz in the air when a family vacation is finally here. But as mechanics, we know there is one giant, heavy variable that can either make or break your entire trip: the machine sitting out in your driveway.
At our shop, we live for the stories our customers tell us when they come back from road trips. We love hearing about the hidden beach spots, the incredible roadside diners, and the memories made along the way. Unfortunately, we also see the other side of the coin. Every summer, our garage handles vehicles towed in from the highway—stuffed to the brim with luggage, cooler ice melting, and a family sitting in our waiting room looking completely defeated.
A breakdown during your weekday routine is a hassle; a breakdown on vacation is an expensive, stressful nightmare. To make sure your vehicle is genuinely ready for the long haul, we’ve put together the ultimate pre-vacation checklist. Read this before you pack the car!
The Crucial Fluid Review
Your car’s fluids have a tough job during a long vacation drive. Instead of the usual stop-and-go driving of a daily commute, they are subjected to hours of continuous heat, high speeds, and the extra weight of your passengers and luggage.
Before you back out of the driveway, take a peek at these vital liquids:
- Engine Oil: Check the level and color. If your oil is dark black and thick, or if you are within 1,000 miles of your next service interval, get it changed before you leave. Fresh oil keeps your engine running cooler during long highway stretches.
- Coolant (Antifreeze): This is what prevents your engine from melting down when you're idling in traffic on a 90-degree day. Check the overflow reservoir to ensure it hits the full mark.
- Wiper Fluid: It sounds minor until you hit a swarm of bugs at 70 mph or a sudden summer downpour. Top it off, and take a quick look at your wiper blades to ensure they aren't tearing.
Rubber and Road: Checking Your Tires
Tires are often the most abused and neglected parts of a vehicle, yet they are the only thing keeping you connected to the pavement. Highway speeds cause tires to heat up significantly. If they are improperly inflated or worn down, that heat can cause a sudden blowout.
First, check your tire pressure while the car has been parked for at least a few hours. You can find the correct inflation numbers on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb—don't go by the maximum pressure stamped on the tire sidewall itself.
Second, look at the tread depth. An easy test is inserting a penny upside down into the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires are too thin and won't safely displace water during a sudden summer storm. Look out for any strange bulges or cracks in the sidewalls, too.
Your Backup Plan
If you’ve spent any time reading our tips before, you know we have a major rule in our shop: never trust an unchecked spare tire.
Before you pack heavy bags over the trunk floor, open up that lower compartment and locate your spare "donut" tire. Because these tires sit in the dark for years, they naturally lose air pressure over time. Most compact spares require a staggering 60 PSI to safely support your vehicle. If yours has been sitting back there since you bought the car, it’s probably flat.
While you are verifying the air pressure, make sure the jack, the lug wrench, and your wheel lock key (if your car uses them) are all accounted for and working smoothly.
Don’t Forget the Stopping Power
A car that goes fast is great, but a car that stops exactly when it needs to is mandatory. Highway driving requires your brakes to shed massive amounts of kinetic energy very quickly.
If you’ve noticed a slight squeal when braking around town, a steering wheel that shakes when you slow down, or a brake pedal that feels a bit soft and spongy, don't ignore it. Those minor quirks can escalate into a major safety hazard when your vehicle is fully loaded with vacation gear.
Let Us Do the Heavy Lifting
When you bring your car to Community Auto in Ft. Collins, CO for a pre-trip safety inspection, we put it on our lifts to inspect the steering components, suspension, and other items you can’t easily see from the driveway. We will test your battery strength, inspect your brake pads, verify your belts aren't cracking, and make sure your A/C is blowing ice-cold.
Visit Community Auto in Ft. Collins, CO this week for a comprehensive pre-vacation inspection. Let’s make sure the only unexpected stops you have to make are the ones that you plan for.