Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea
June 26, 2018
At TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires we get a lot of Royal Oak 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 Michigan, so it's important to know that the vehicle is up to the task and won't leave you stranded.
Smart Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak to see if you can feel any vibrations: Are the wheels in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? Come to TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com
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 Royal Oak.
Check your owner's manual for any other recommended services, and have TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires in Royal Oak do the multi-point inspection before you head out on your trip.
Consider also having the coolant system serviced at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires – you want to stay within the vehicle manufacture’s recommendations. If you're towing a trailer around Michigan you'll want to be keep in mind that you'll be going a long way under severe conditions.
A lot of Royal Oak drivers overlook severe conditions like towing, Michigan summer heat or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires wants you to get there and back.
Need Service?
More articles from TLC Auto Care
Don’t Blow Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)
September 13, 2026
Its always a good idea to keep your cool, and thats especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle. One is the engine. Its hot under that hood thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when its running. Your vehicle has a cooling syste... More
Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)
September 6, 2026
There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt. In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the ... More
Stopping Power Starts with Your Brake Pads
August 30, 2026
You may not think too often about your brakes, but one part of them plays a big role in your vehicles safety and performance. That part? The brake pad. Every time you press your brake pedal, those pads create friction against the rotors, converting your vehicles motion into heat and bringing y... More