Back to all

Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea

May 25, 2016

At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport we get a lot of Lockport 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 Lockport 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 Lockport 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 Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

600 E 9th Street
Lockport, Illinois 60441
815-838-3700

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 Lockport.

Check your owner's manual for any other recommended services, and have Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport in Lockport do the multi-point inspection before you head out on your trip.

Consider also having the coolant system serviced at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport – 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 Lockport drivers overlook severe conditions like towing, Illinois summer heat or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport wants you to get there and back.

More articles from Tuffy Lockport

Ball Joint Replacement

November 30, 2025

Think about this the next time youre driving. Your front wheels can steer your vehicle and, at the same time, the wheels can move, even with all the irregularities in the road moving them up, down and in different directions. Pretty amazing engineering, wouldnt you say? What allows that are part... More

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

November 23, 2025

If youve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, youll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work. Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheels rim with a pair of cushioned pads activated by your hand squeezing the hand brakes on your handlebars. The friction of tho... More

Don?t Meddle with the Pedal (Brake Caliper Replacement)

November 16, 2025

If you drive a newer vehicle, chances are it has disc brakes, and one of the components of that type of brake is called a brake caliper. The caliper allows the pressure from your foot on the brake pedal to eventually move brake pads against discs in your wheels, which then slow and stop your veh... More