How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip from Houston

Planning a road trip from Houston to the coast, Hill Country, Big Bend, or across state lines? A little preparation prevents a lot of roadside stress. Here is what to check before you go.

Tires: Check tread depth on all four tires plus the spare. Check inflation pressure when tires are cold. Look for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear. If your tires are marginal, replace them before the trip — a blowout on I-10 between Houston and San Antonio is dangerous and inconvenient.

Oil and fluids: If you are within 1,000 miles of your next oil change, do it before the trip. Check coolant level, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Top off anything that is low.

Brakes: If you hear any squealing, grinding, or feel any pulsation when braking, get the brakes inspected before loading up the family. Brake problems get worse with use, not better.

Cooling system: Long highway driving in Texas heat pushes the cooling system hard. Check hoses for soft spots, swelling, or cracks. Make sure the coolant is at the proper level and the right mixture. If your coolant has not been changed in 5+ years, a flush is worth considering.

Battery: A battery that barely starts the car at home will fail in the middle of nowhere. We load-test batteries and can tell you if yours is healthy, marginal, or due for replacement.

AC system: Nothing makes a 5-hour Texas drive worse than broken AC. If the air is not blowing cold, get it checked before you leave — not in some unfamiliar town where the nearest mechanic is booked solid.

Belts and hoses: A serpentine belt failure on the road means no alternator, no AC, and possibly no power steering. Visual inspection takes minutes and can prevent a breakdown.

Lights: Check all headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights. A burned-out brake light on a loaded car towing a trailer is a ticket waiting to happen.

Emergency kit: Water, phone charger, flashlight, basic tools, jumper cables or a portable jump pack, and first aid kit. Texas distances between exits can be long.

What a pre-trip inspection includes: Our $60 mobile diagnostic covers everything above — fluids, brakes, tires, battery, belts, cooling system, and AC. We come to your driveway before the trip and give you peace of mind or a repair plan. Much better than discovering problems 200 miles from home.