Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea
September 9, 2020
At Elite Tire And Auto Care we get a lot of Livonia 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 Michigan , so it's important to know that the vehicle is up to the task and won't leave you stranded.
Smart Livonia 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 Livonia to see if you can feel any vibrations: Are the wheels in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? Come to Elite Tire And Auto Care for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.
33729 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, Michigan 48150
734.427.3100
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 Livonia.
Check your owner's manual for any other recommended services, and have Elite Tire And Auto Care in Livonia do the multi-point inspection before you head out on your trip.
Consider also having the coolant system serviced at Elite Tire And Auto Care – you want to stay within the vehicle manufacture’s recommendations. If you're towing a trailer around Michigan you'll want to be keep in mind that you'll be going a long way under severe conditions.
A lot of Livonia drivers overlook severe conditions like towing, Michigan summer heat or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – Elite Tire And Auto Care wants you to get there and back.
Need Service?
More articles from Elite Tire & Auto Care

Ball Joint Replacement
February 1, 2026
Think about this the next time youre driving. Your front wheels can steer your vehicle and, at the same time, the wheels can move, even with all the irregularities in the road moving them up, down and in different directions. Pretty amazing engineering, wouldnt you say? What allows that are part... More

Don?t Meddle with the Pedal (Brake Caliper Replacement)
January 25, 2026
If you drive a newer vehicle, chances are it has disc brakes, and one of the components of that type of brake is called a brake caliper. The caliper allows the pressure from your foot on the brake pedal to eventually move brake pads against discs in your wheels, which then slow and stop your veh... More

In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)
January 18, 2026
Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isnt taken care of soon. Be on the lookout for signs that its getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel. When you see that heat gaug... More
