Don’t Let Car Trouble Ride Shotgun
McGees Automotive reminds drivers to check fluids, brakes, tires, and belts before summer travel season begins
10:30 a.m. May 1, 2026
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
Summer travel has a way of sneaking up on people.
One week, you are talking about maybe taking a weekend trip. The next, the bags are packed, the cooler is loaded, the kids are asking how much longer before you have even left Moore County, and your vehicle is expected to do exactly what it always does: start, run, stop, and get everybody there safely.
That is why McGees Automotive, the Observer’s newest Community Partner, is reminding local drivers to take care of the basics before the first big road trip of the season.
McGees Automotive, owned by Austen McGee, is located at 555 Flippo Road in Lynchburg. This month, McGees is keeping the advice simple for local families, commuters, and anyone with a trip on the calendar: don’t let car trouble ruin the first getaway of the season.
Check your fluids, brakes, tires, and belts before hitting the road.
They are not exciting. Nobody takes vacation pictures of fresh oil, good brakes, or properly inflated tires. But those small checks can be the difference between a smooth drive and a long, hot afternoon on the shoulder.
Maintenance works best before there is a problem
Most car trouble does not show up all at once. It gives you little hints first.
A tire wears a little unevenly. Brake pads get thinner. A belt starts to crack. Coolant gets low. Oil goes a little too long between changes. None of those things may seem urgent on a regular Tuesday drive to work, school, or the grocery store.
But add summer heat, heavier traffic, highway speeds, a trunk full of luggage, and several hours on the road, and small problems can turn into expensive ones fast.
That is the value of steady maintenance: it lets you fix the small thing before it becomes the expensive thing.
Give the basics a real look
Before a summer trip, make sure the fluids are full and in good shape.
That includes oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. None of them is complicated. All of them matter.
Oil keeps the engine protected. Coolant helps prevent overheating, which matters even more during Tennessee’s hot summer months. Brake fluid helps the braking system work properly. Washer fluid may seem minor until bugs, dust, or a summer storm make it hard to see clearly.
Brakes deserve the same attention. A little squeak, a little grinding, a pedal that feels different, or a vehicle that takes longer to stop can all be warning signs.
Before a summer trip, have the brakes checked for wear and stopping power. A vehicle loaded for travel needs to stop safely, especially in heavy traffic, sudden slowdowns, or mountain driving.
Bad brakes are not something to discover in traffic.
Show this article at McGees Automotive and receive 10% off services in this month's maintenance tip.
Tires and belts do the hard work
Tires are easy to overlook until one goes flat.
Before a road trip, check tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition. Look for uneven wear, cracks, bulges, or anything stuck in the tire. Do not forget the spare, either.
Properly inflated tires help with safety, fuel economy, and handling. Worn tires can make wet roads more dangerous, especially during summer storms that pop up quickly and leave slick pavement behind.
Tires do all the road work. They deserve more than a quick glance.
Belts and hoses do a lot of quiet work under the hood. They help keep power, coolant, and air moving where they need to go. When they fail, they can create immediate problems, including overheating, loss of charging power, or a vehicle that simply will not keep going.
Cracks, fraying, leaks, soft spots, or worn areas can all be signs that something needs attention. A quick inspection before a trip can help prevent a breakdown far from home.
A little attention now can save a lot later
Vehicle maintenance is easy to put off because most of the time, the car seems fine.
Until it is not.
That is why McGees Automotive encourages drivers to think about maintenance as part of trip planning. Book the room. Pack the bags. Check the schedule. Then give the vehicle the same attention.
A summer trip should be remembered for the people, the destination, and the time away – not the tow truck.
Before you hit the road this summer, give the basics a look. A few minutes in the driveway, or a quick stop by the shop, can save a lot of trouble later.
McGees Automotive is located at 555 Flippo Road in Lynchburg. To schedule a check before your next trip, call Austen McGee and the team at (931) 307-9430.
The best road trips are the ones where the car is never part of the story.