Back to all

Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea

August 4, 2022

At Tuffy Bloomington we get a lot of Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

1505 East Vernon Avenue
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
309.662.0537

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 Bloomington.

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

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

More articles from Tuffy Bloomington

Lubricate Driveshaft

December 29, 2024

See if any of these are happening to your vehicle. You feel it vibrating excessively underneath when its running, or you hear strange clunking, grating, or grinding sounds coming from beneath. Maybe its hard to turn your vehicle, or you can hear squeaking when youre going slow. Perhaps you fee... More

3 Winter Windshield Tips (Care of Windshield)

December 22, 2024

Cold weather can present some real challenges when it comes to your vehicle's windshield. Think of it. Your windshield is your window to the world when you're driving, and clear visibility is extraordinarily important for safe travels. So here are 3 tips to ensure that your windshield can do it... More

Timing is Everything (Timing Cover Replacement)

December 15, 2024

Theres an important part in your vehicle that shields your timing belt, timing chain or cam belt from the debris and gunk that can be kicked up from the road. Its called the timing cover. Its important because the timing belt or chain is what coordinates parts of your engine called the camshaft... More