Are you planning on going on a road trip? If yes, then you need to make sure that you’re adequately prepared. It’s not enough to assume that your vehicle runs fine, therefore, you don’t need to check anything. That assumption is probably why there are 69 million vehicle breakdowns every year on the highways –1 in 3 drivers.
Remember that in-city driving is often different from highway driving in terms of their demand on the vehicle. Although there’s minimal traffic when you’re riding on the highways, your vehicle will likely work non-stop for many hours at a stretch.
This demand can cause parts to fail or stop working. And you don’t want to have your car break down in the middle of nowhere at night, without any cellular service, and hoping some good samaritan will come help you.
To avoid this therefore, it’s important to know the major causes of automobile breakdowns on the highways.
Bad or Overinflated Tires
How old is your tire? Is it in good shape and should you still be using those tires? Well, if your car is older than 5 years, you should have your tires checked out.
Carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Ford recommend that you change your tire 6 years after the manufacture date. Tire manufacturer, Michelin, says that although tires can last 10 years, automobile owners should check their tires yearly after the fifth year of manufacture.
That being said, blown tires on highways are often common because drivers refuse to adhere to the safety recommendations given by tire makers. Before you travel, make sure that your tires aren’t overinflated. Every vehicle has a recommended tire pressure. Stick to that and avoid excessive tire inflation as that can lead to blown tires.
Weak or Bad Brakes
How good are your brakes? Bad or weak brakes are the reason why people get in ghastly accidents on highways. However, brakes don’t just fail. They give you proper warning signs before they fail.
So, pay a lot of attention to your brakes before anything. If the brake feels unusually soft, or you notice a slight delay between when you press it and when it kicks in, have an auto specialist check it immediately and carry out other routine maintenance on your vehicle.
Bad or weak brakes can happen in new and used cars or new and used motorcycles. Don’t joke with it as it can cost you your life.
Low Gas Levels
Many people make the mistake of assuming that they have enough gas to get them to the nearest gas station. Unfortunately, their assumptions are sometimes wrong, resulting in them being stranded in remote locales without access to any nearby gas station.
If you’re traveling or going on a road trip, always fill up your gas tank the previous night –this is best if you’re heading out very early in the morning. And if you can’t do it the night before, definitely do it at the next available station.
Bad or Weak Coolant System
If you’ve ever seen cars overheating on the highway, it’s usually due to the absence of coolant in the vehicle, or a malfunctioning coolant system. The coolant system is what prevents your car from overheating.
If there isn’t enough coolant or the system is weak, it can cause your vehicle to overheat. This is why you should never use water in place of your coolant.
Thankfully, most modern coolants are designed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles –whichever comes first. If your coolant levels are low, older than 5 years, or exceeded 150,000 miles, have your mechanic check the system and possibly replace the coolant.
