Before you load up the car for the South Coast, the Blue Mountains or a long drive north this summer, a quick check now can save your holiday from a roadside stop. Most summer breakdowns come down to a few things: tyres, cooling, batteries and brakes. Here’s what we look at, and what you can check yourself before you leave Rozelle.
Why Inner West Driving Is Hard on Your Car
Short trips around Balmain, Leichhardt and Annandale, stop-start traffic on Victoria Road and the climb onto Anzac Bridge mean your engine rarely warms up fully and your brakes work hard. That kind of driving wears a car differently from a long highway run. A car that feels fine around the Inner West can show a weakness after three hours on the M1 in 35-degree heat.
Tyres: Your First Line of Safety
Tread and Condition
The legal minimum tread depth in NSW is 1.5 mm, but grip in the wet drops well before that. Look for the tread wear indicators in the grooves, and check the sidewalls for cuts, bulges or cracking from kerb strikes on narrow streets.
Pressure for a Loaded Car
Your car’s placard (usually inside the driver’s door) lists pressures for a fully loaded car. Set them cold, before you drive, and don’t forget the spare. Our post on checking your tyre tread with a coin shows a quick home check.
Not sure about your tyres or brakes? Book a pre-trip check with the team at Robert St Automotive. We’ll explain what we find before any work starts.
Keep Your Cool: Cooling System and Air Con
Coolant and Hoses
Overheating is the most common summer breakdown we see. With the engine cold, check the coolant is between the marks in the overflow tank. Soft, swollen or cracked hoses and a sweet smell after driving are signs to get it looked at.
Air Conditioning
If the air con takes a long time to cool the cabin or smells musty, it may be low on gas or due for a service. A working system keeps the driver alert on long drives. Learn more about our air conditioning service.
Battery, Brakes and Lights
Battery
Heat is harder on batteries than cold. If your car is slow to crank, or the battery is more than three or four years old, have it tested before you go.
Brakes
A loaded car needs more braking. Squealing, grinding, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side are all reasons for a brake check before a long drive.
Lights and Wipers
Walk around the car with the lights on, and replace wiper blades that smear. Summer storms arrive fast on the highway.
Pack Smart
- Check the spare tyre, jack and wheel brace are in the car and work.
- Carry water for everyone, a phone charger and your roadside assistance details.
- Don’t overload the roof; check the vehicle’s maximum roof load.
- Plan rest stops every two hours. Transport for NSW recommends a break at least every two hours to avoid fatigue.
Is a Service Due?
If your logbook service is due in the next month or so, do it before the trip. Our dealer-standard logbook servicing protects your new-car warranty and includes the checks above. Our road trip checklist has more holiday driving tips.
What Our Pre-Trip Check Covers
When you book a pre-trip check at Robert St Automotive, we put the car on the hoist and look at the things that most often cause trouble on a long drive. We check tyre tread, pressures and sidewalls, including the spare. We inspect brake pads, discs and fluid, and test the battery and charging system. We look over the cooling system, hoses and drive belts, check for oil and coolant leaks underneath, and test the lights, wipers and air conditioning.
If we find something, we’ll show you, explain how urgent it is and give you a clear choice before any work starts. Some things are worth fixing before you go; others can wait until you’re back. Our aim is simple: you drive away knowing exactly what shape your car is in.
Electric and Hybrid Cars
Hybrids and EVs still need tyres, brakes, suspension and cooling checked before a long drive. Plan charging stops ahead, as fast chargers on popular holiday routes can have queues over the Christmas period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before a road trip should I get my car checked? One to two weeks before, so there’s time to fix anything we find without rushing.
Can I check my car myself? Yes, tyres, lights, wipers and fluid levels are easy home checks. Brakes, cooling hoses and the battery are best tested in the workshop.
Will a pre-trip check affect my warranty? No. Servicing to the manufacturer’s schedule with quality parts keeps your warranty intact.
Heading away this summer? Book a pre-trip check with the team at Robert St Automotive, 22 Robert St, Rozelle. We’ll explain what we find before any work starts.
Book online · Call (02) 9810 2232