Back to all

Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea

February 20, 2018

At Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy) we get a lot of Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago (Diversey Pkwy) for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

1400 West Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, Illinois 60614
773-929-3622

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 Chicago.

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

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

More articles from Tuffy Chicago

Losing Your Cool (AC Condenser Replacement)

November 23, 2025

Its always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser. The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into... More

Steering You Right (Tie Rod End Replacement)

November 16, 2025

For drivers, S stands for safety. And there are three other words that start with S that are all equally important: starting, stopping and steering. For your vehicle to be at its safest, all three functions must be in top shape. Steering is one of those things we take for granted. After all, y... More

Steer Clear (Power Steering Pump Replacement)

November 9, 2025

When it comes to ease and precision of steering, todays vehicles are engineering marvels. One of the keys to just how good steering is lies in the refinement of power-assisted steering which we know simply as power steering. At the heart of the system is an electrically or belt-driven power ste... More