Before a long drive, check the battery, coolant, tires, brakes, lights and fluids. The Grapevine climb and summer heat stress cooling systems and brakes.
Key takeaways
- Battery and coolant.
- Tires and brakes.
- Lights and wipers.
Battery and charging
Test it.
Cooling system
Coolant level and hoses.
Tires and brakes
Pressure and wear.
Lights and wipers
All of them.
Fluids
Oil and others.
Heat and the climb
The long climb over the Grapevine stresses cooling systems and brakes, and summer heat compounds it. Check coolant level, hoses and the radiator before you go. Use a lower gear on descents to save brakes. Keep water in the car in case you need to wait for help. If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over safely.
Emergency kit
Carry jumper cables or a jump pack, a flashlight, water, a tire pressure gauge and a phone charger. Add a reflective triangle and gloves. Know your roadside plan before you go. A small kit and a phone number can turn a breakdown into an inconvenience instead of a crisis.
Tires, spare and tools
Check the spare, not just the four tires, and make sure the jack and lug wrench are in the car. Look at the sidewalls for cracks and the tread for the wear bars. Heat and highway speeds punish old tires, and a blowout at 70 miles per hour is dangerous. If your tires are more than six years old, ask a shop to inspect them even if the tread looks fine.
Need help in south Bakersfield?
Questions about maintenance & oil change? Read our Maintenance & Oil Change page, call (661) 599-9098 or request a time. Peña's Auto Electric, Smog & Repair, 303 Taft Hwy, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93307. Mon to Fri 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Sat 8 AM to 1 PM.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I check?
A few days before.
Is heat a risk?
Yes.
Spare tire?
Check it.
Roadside plan?
Have one.