People who are driving a new car can be carefree. However, long trips can stress out owners of older vehicles. Car breakdowns are bad enough when you are in your city. Now imagine it happening during a road trip resulting in you being stranded in the middle of nowhere with no help in sight.
A vacation is supposed to be fun and stress-free, and car breakdowns are the opposite of that.
Generally speaking, any vehicle in good running condition that has passed its state inspection is good enough for a road trip. A well-maintained car with updated tires and proper fluid levels can easily make it on a road trip, even if it is decades old. However, there are some other factors at play. Some of them are:
- The distance you are planning to travel,
- the mileage of your car,
- and its current mechanical state
This article will look at some of the most common reasons behind car breakdowns and discuss how preparing beforehand can save you from any inconvenience on the road. So, keep on reading to learn more.
Are old cars suitable for a long road trip?
One of the most common concerns among people is the suitability of their vehicle for longer trips. They are fine with commuting to their office or other places nearby. But long trips demand reliability, and some people just can’t trust their older cars.
Old cars are suitable for long trips as long as they are properly maintained. Many parts get worn down with time and may need to be replaced. Similarly, you also need to make sure all the fluids are at the correct level and that you keep up with the maintenance schedule recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
As long as you follow all the instructions and keep your vehicle maintained, you can be sure that your car is 100% ready for any trip.
Another excellent way of knowing the current condition of your vehicle is to get it inspected by your local mechanic before departure. It’ll cost you a little bit, but spending money here would save you from the hassle of getting help during your trip. It’ll cost more, and you’ll have no option but to pay the premium rate that the new mechanic demands.
Unfortunately, car breakdowns on the road are a common sight everywhere. Most of them happen for a handful of reasons, and focusing on those elements can minimize the chances of it happening to you.
Interested in knowing what those reasons are? Let’s find out.
6 most common reasons your car may breakdown on a road trip
Preventing car breakdowns on the road requires you to take exceptional care of your vehicle. The older the model, the more vigilant you should be regarding part replacement and maintenance.
Most car breakdowns stem from the following five reasons that create further problems leading to a breakdown. Understanding them is the first step towards ensuring that your car can complete the road trip without any significant issues.
1. Oil and other necessary fluids may leak or burn up
Internal combustion engines and other car components rely on multiple essential fluids. Your engine requires oil to minimize its internal friction, your bakes and transmission systems require relevant oil, and your radiator needs an excellent coolant to prevent overheating.
You may notice that your car is leaking fluids like engine oil or coolant; the leak may be visible or sometimes so small that you only notice it after several miles. In any case, you need those fluids so that the car may run as intended.
You must remain aware of your car’s fluid levels for a long road trip and rectify any leakages or other issues beforehand. Oil leaks, radiator leaks, and the absence of other similar fluids can have disastrous consequences, and it’s best to avoid that by staying vigilant.
2. Your tires may be unsuitable for the road
Another important area you should always consider is the condition of your tires. Older tires lose their grip on the road and may damage your riding experience. That’s not all; blowout risk exponentially increases with older tires when you are on a long trip. So, it’s better to replace tires with cracks, rot, and other damages.
Another common issue with tires is related to air pressure. Tires are one of the most common causes of breakdowns on the road, and most of them occur due to punctures and pressure losses.
Apart from keeping a spare in the car, you can use multiple other solutions like a spray-based inflator or keeping a portable compressor in the vehicle to give you enough chance to reach the nearest tire shop safely.
3. Battery issues
The battery is the lifeline of your vehicle and must be in perfect condition. People often forget about the health of their battery and keep using it until it gives up. You can’t have that on a road trip. A weak battery will let you start your vehicle.
It’s a good idea to have a small battery tester that can tell you the overall health of your battery. You can also visit any workshop, and they’ll test your battery for a minimal charge. After that, replace the battery if required so you can have a pleasant trip.
4. Your belts and hoses might be loose
Take a look under the hood. You’ll see that your engine depends on multiple belts and other components to function correctly. From air conditioning to even the injection system, everything is connected. For a safe trip, it’s essential to ensure that all those connections are proper.
The belts and hoses in your car have an indicated lifespan, and you should always change them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, it’s a good practice to get them checked before a long road trip. Some cracks or flaws may have propagated earlier, and it’s better to mitigate any risks before you leave.
5. Your car may be due for a tune-up
Your overall driving experience depends on how synergized all the components of your car are. They all work together to keep it running smoothly and may regularly need replacement. A tune-up ensures that the spark plugs, wires, and other components are in perfect condition.
Generally, the miles determine when your car is due for a tune-up. You’ll find all information regarding when you should do it in the owner’s manual.
6. Dirty or clogged filters
Dirty and clogged filters can drastically degrade your car’s overall performance and, in very rare instances, cause other problems that may lead to a breakdown. It’s always recommended to ensure that all the filters are in good condition and replace them regularly.
Before going on a road trip, you should look at your cabin filter as well. While it doesn’t affect the performance of your engine but you’d want to have your road trip without any odours or other unpleasant elements in your car.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, road trips are just miles for your car.
Older cars are susceptible to more issues when they run for a long time, which is evident for a road trip, but that is the case if you don’t maintain them. With proper maintenance, it doesn’t matter how long the trip is. You won’t have to deal with a car breakdown.
Generally speaking, if you trust your car to take you to the office or any other place nearby without issue, you can also trust it to complete a long road trip without problems. However, you must make sure that you’ve kept your vehicle properly maintained so you can enjoy rather than stress about what’s wrong with your car.
For longer road trips, a visit to a mechanic before departure is highly recommended.
Good route!
