Back to all

Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea

December 9, 2018

At Tuffy Joliet (South Plainfield) we get a lot of Joliet drivers asking about vehicle trip preparation. That's a big deal. You could be driving through mountains and deserts in some pretty lonely areas around Illinois, so it's important to know that the vehicle is up to the task and won't leave you stranded.

Smart Joliet drivers plan ahead for a major road trip – and there are a lot of things to get ready. Where should you start? You could start with the tires. Look them over for tread wear and check to see that they are properly inflated. Take a quick test drive around Joliet to see if you can feel any vibrations: Are the wheels in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? Come to Tuffy Joliet (South Plainfield) for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

2031 SR 59
Joliet, Illinois 60586
815-436-1829

The next thing is a full service oil change to make sure all of your fluids are topped off and you have fresh oil for the trip. And if your car has over 75,000 miles/120,000 km, you may consider putting in the high-mileage formulation to clean harmful sludge deposits in the engine. 

How about your transmission and brakes? Have you had your transmission and brakes inspected in the last six months?

How are your wiper blades? There's nothing like not being able to get rid of the bug juice on a long road trip away from Joliet.

Check your owner's manual for any other recommended services, and have Tuffy Joliet (South Plainfield) in Joliet do the multi-point inspection before you head out on your trip.

Consider also having the coolant system serviced at Tuffy Joliet (South Plainfield) – you want to stay within the vehicle manufacture’s recommendations. If you're towing a trailer around Illinois you'll want to be keep in mind that you'll be going a long way under severe conditions.

A lot of Joliet drivers overlook severe conditions like towing, Illinois summer heat or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – Tuffy Joliet (South Plainfield) wants you to get there and back.

More articles from Tuffy Joliet

When Your Tires are Tired (Tire Replacement)

February 2, 2025

Tires are so reliable these days that few drivers pay much attention to them. But tires wear out. They have a tough job since they are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. They have to get your vehicle going from a stop, keep it going, make sure it is headed in the dire... More

Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)

January 26, 2025

If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for constant velocity. In essence, its a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the ... More

Busted! Air Conditioning (Air Conditioning Maintenance)

January 19, 2025

Your vehicle's air conditioning is something you count on when the weather heats up. But there's bound to be a day when you turn it on and one of these things happens: Only warm air blows out Cold air starts blowing out but then it turns warm on its own It's not blowing air at all It blows smel... More