Pump your brakes! Is your vehicle ready for summer?

Published 2:37 pm Wednesday, May 25, 2016

With summer practically synonymous with road trips and vacation travel, it’s important to focus on the one essential that’s more important to your trip than sunscreen — the vehicle you’ll be driving to your destination.

Travel authority AAA projects that more than 38 million Americans will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend alone, thanks in part to notably low gas prices. However, AAA also expects to rescue more than 350,000 motorists during the course of the weekend due to roadside headaches like dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires.

So what can you do to avoid time spent stranded on the highway? Ask yourself these questions before you hop behind the wheel this road trip season.

Are your tires roadworthy?

You wouldn’t walk around in dangerously worn or broken shoes, so why drive around on worn or potentially dangerous tires? Before traveling long distances, be sure to visit an area mechanic or repair shop to see if it’s time for a tire rotation, alignment or even a new spare. If your tires have been battered by the harsh effects of winter or have extensive tread wear or damage, consider a visit to your closest tire retailer like Goodyear, Firestone, Pepboys or TiresPlus. Not only do these retailers offer rebates and discounts on tires when purchased in pairs or sets, but each retailer also features a selection of technicians who can perform any last-minute repairs or checks your vehicle may require before you make your drive.

Are there any issued recalls for your vehicle?

Whether you’re driving locally or long-distance, it’s important to know if certain parts — or your vehicle itself — have been mentioned in a recall. Recalls are often issued by car manufacturers and dealers in hopes of making repairs or replacements to save drivers from hazardous situations and costly repairs down the line. Even if your car is not “new,” there could still be components or parts that have been recalled.

For example, Toyota recently expanded its recall to include 1.6 million more vehicles in efforts to replace potentially faulty front passenger air bag inflators made by the Japan-based Takata Corp. Before you consider your drive, you can visit this site, which allows you to see any issued recalls for your vehicle with a simple search of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Is it time for scheduled or preventative maintenance?

While the majority of American drivers would probably prefer to operate their vehicles with an “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, experts suggest preserving and fixing things before “it” breaks. Rodney Funderburk Jr., service manager and owner of Florida-based Complete Automotive Repair and Sales, suggests that drivers focus on tackling preventative checks related to components like the water pump, brakes, timing belt and perform necessary fluid checks. By doing so, vehicle owners are making an active effort to get ahead of potential problems or risks that could otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Funderburk, with 10 years of auto maintenance expertise, also advocates changing your vehicle’s belts on a seasonal basis to prevent a roadside breakdown. If you’re unsure of your vehicle’s preventative or scheduled maintenance schedule, which is usually based on mileage, consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual, a local repair shop or a car site like Edmunds, which offers a wealth of vehicle information and resources. Bottom line: small, preventative maintenance can often head off an expensive, large-scale fix.

Is your vehicle stocked for the trip ahead?

Making sure that your vehicle is stocked for a road trip goes far beyond snacks and the right music. Even if your vehicle is in great shape, you and your passengers could still face an emergency or delay that could call for more than what you have packed in your luggage. That said, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has compiled a list of essentials that should be included in your vehicle’s emergency kit prior to a drive longer than your normal commute.

If you find yourself in a rush before your drive, many brick-and-mortar and online retailers offer affordable pre-packaged emergency kits that feature many of the things you and your passengers may potentially need like jumper cables, a flashlight, a thermal blanket, gloves and even a first aid kit for cuts and scrapes. In addition to a stocked emergency kit, be sure to take the necessary chargers for your mobile devices along for the ride.

Is it better to choose a rental over repairs?

If the estimate for your auto service or repairs adds up to more than your entire getaway budget, is it worth considering a rental vehicle to get you where you’re going? Funderburk says yes.

“Renting a car, you are normally dealing with a newer vehicle with has been inspected by the rental facility’s mechanics before you rent it,” he said.

In addition, rental companies like Enterprise and Budget have instituted good perks — pick-up service, select discounts and no mileage charges — that make renting a vehicle a pretty stress-free experience. 

While a rental may be a short-term solution to your road trip transportation woes, Funderburk encourages owners not to delay important vehicle repairs for too long.

Being fully aware of your vehicle’s condition, both inside and out, will not only make you a better, more informed vehicle owner, but it also minimizes the risks and stress you could face on the open road. By undertaking the necessary maintenance and preparation, you are ensuring that your vehicle is road-ready for wherever this summer leads you.