Traveling By Car? Key Points You Need to Watch Out For

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 09/02/2025 at 18:33

Updated on 09/02/2025 at 18:34

Foto: Reprodução

1 person reacted to this.

Before Hitting The Road, It Is Essential To Check Some Points Of The Car To Ensure A Safe Trip And Avoid Unexpected Issues. See What To Check Before You Leave!

Traveling by car can be an amazing experience, but it also comes with risks if the vehicle maintenance is not up to date.

According to the National Union of the Automotive Vehicle Components Industry (Sindipeças), the vehicle fleet in Brazil has been continuously aging. The average age of cars in circulation in the country has surpassed 11 years, reaching 11 years and 1 month. Specifically, cars have an average age of 11 years and 1 month, while trucks reach 12 years and 2 months.

This aging of the fleet significantly increases the chances of mechanical problems during trips, as older vehicles are more prone to failures due to the natural wear of their components.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The Main Mechanical Problems When Traveling By Car

To avoid unpleasant surprises on the road, it is essential to perform some preventive checks before hitting the road.

Dead Batteries

In Brazil, mechanical and electrical failures account for 51% of the calls made to 24-hour assistance services. Among these occurrences, battery-related problems are among the most common. The lack of preventive maintenance is a significant factor contributing to these failures.

Most batteries do not give clear signs of failure before stopping working. For this reason, it is recommended to test them regularly, especially if they are older.

Some auto parts stores offer free tests to check the battery’s condition. Additionally, keeping the terminals clean and ensuring that the alternator is working properly can prolong its lifespan.

Engine Problems

Engine overheating is among the main causes of breakdowns on the road. Failures in the cooling system, such as coolant leaks, can cause serious damage and even compromise the engine’s functioning.

Before traveling, check the coolant level and look for signs of leaking, such as stains on the ground or a characteristic sweet smell of fl ui d.

If there is any suspicion of a problem, a mechanic should be consulted to avoid further complications.

Tire Damage

Worn or improperly inflated tires increase the risk of accidents. According to AAA data, tire damage is the third leading cause of breakdowns on the road.

To avoid this problem, check the pressure and tread depth before traveling. Tires with less than 1.6 mm of tread depth should be replaced.

Additionally, it is important to ensure the car has a spare tire in good condition and the necessary equipment for changing it, if needed.

Other Essential Checks Before The Trip

Braking System: The brakes are fundamental for safety. Unusual noises, a very low pedal, or vibrations when braking may indicate excessive wear. A check-up before the trip ensures that the system is in good working condition.

Lights and Signaling: Burned-out lights can generate fines and increase the risk of accidents. Check all vehicle lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, ensuring they function correctly.

Essential Fluids: It is important to check the engine oil levels, brake fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Any deficiency can compromise the vehicle’s performance and put your safety at risk.

Keeping the car maintenance up to date not only prevents unforeseen events but also ensures more comfort and safety during the trip. In addition to the vehicle review, it is advisable to carry an emergency kit containing basic tools, a flashlight, battery jumper cables, and first aid items.

Traveling By Car? Key Points You Need to Watch Out For

Before Hitting The Road, It Is Essential To Check Some Points Of The Car To Ensure A Safe Trip And Avoid Unexpected Issues. See What To Check Before You Leave!

The Main Mechanical Problems When Traveling By Car

Dead Batteries

Engine Problems

Tire Damage

Other Essential Checks Before The Trip

Gaddafi built the world’s largest artificial river under the Sahara — it’s 4,000 km of giant pipes that pump 40,000-year-old fossil water to entire cities in Libya.

Discovery in Africa scares even scientists: a study published on April 23 reveals that the crust in Turkana has become so thin that it could pave the way for the continent’s division and the emergence of an ocean in the future, in a gigantic geological transformation.

Austria inaugurates Europe’s first high-speed railway outside China — trains travel at 250 km/h through 33 km tunnels in the Alps that took 27 years to drill

Japanese garbage collectors treat filthy trucks as if they were dealership cars, and the obsession with cleanliness is so absurd that they invented a washing machine that only exists for this type of vehicle.

An unmanned Russian ship has been drifting in the Mediterranean for 57 days with 60,000 tons of gas — the second towing attempt has just failed.

An engine that consumes 40% less gasoline than the average new car already exists and runs on 100% renewable fuel that costs only 10 cents more per liter at Repsol stations.

Physicists transport antimatter for 5 km for the first time, carrying up to 1,000 antiprotons on a road in Switzerland inside a magnetic trap and proving that the most unstable material in the universe can leave the laboratory, paving the way for medical use outside of accelerators.

A piece of a SpaceX rocket will crash into the Moon, could create a new crater and reignites concerns about space debris.

May raises a climate alert in Brazil, with Amazonas, Pará, and Roraima experiencing below-average rainfall, while weekly cold fronts advance through Southern Brazil, dropping temperatures in South-Central Brazil, and preceding a shift that could bring heat back before the end of winter in 2026.

Traveling By Car? Key Points You Need to Watch Out For

Before Hitting The Road, It Is Essential To Check Some Points Of The Car To Ensure A Safe Trip And Avoid Unexpected Issues. See What To Check Before You Leave!

The Main Mechanical Problems When Traveling By Car

Dead Batteries

Engine Problems

Tire Damage

Other Essential Checks Before The Trip

Gaddafi built the world’s largest artificial river under the Sahara — it’s 4,000 km of giant pipes that pump 40,000-year-old fossil water to entire cities in Libya.

Discovery in Africa scares even scientists: a study published on April 23 reveals that the crust in Turkana has become so thin that it could pave the way for the continent’s division and the emergence of an ocean in the future, in a gigantic geological transformation.

Austria inaugurates Europe’s first high-speed railway outside China — trains travel at 250 km/h through 33 km tunnels in the Alps that took 27 years to drill

Japanese garbage collectors treat filthy trucks as if they were dealership cars, and the obsession with cleanliness is so absurd that they invented a washing machine that only exists for this type of vehicle.

An unmanned Russian ship has been drifting in the Mediterranean for 57 days with 60,000 tons of gas — the second towing attempt has just failed.

An engine that consumes 40% less gasoline than the average new car already exists and runs on 100% renewable fuel that costs only 10 cents more per liter at Repsol stations.

GM brings Google Gemini to 4 million cars already sold in the US via remote update, transforms vehicles into AI “copilots” starting with 2022 models, and opens a new billion-dollar revenue stream with subscriptions, assistance, and embedded services.

Toyota ends the Diesel era: new Hilux with up to 380 km of urban range brings 196 hp, 59.2 kWh battery, 4×4 traction and 715 kg of load capacity

Chinese company launches car with a rocket engine that accelerates quickly and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 0.9 seconds; meet the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition from Dreame Technology.

Fiat Strada dominates April with almost 13 thousand units registered and shows why a compact pickup continues beating hatches, SUVs, and electric vehicles in the Brazilian market.

Honda CG 160 dominates April with over 41 thousand units, gets up to 40 km/l, travels more than 500 km on a single tank, and costs starting from R$ 14 thousand, showing why a simple motorcycle continues to beat scooters, electric bikes, and more technological models in Brazil.

Physicists transport antimatter for 5 km for the first time, carrying up to 1,000 antiprotons on a road in Switzerland inside a magnetic trap and proving that the most unstable material in the universe can leave the laboratory, paving the way for medical use outside of accelerators.

A piece of a SpaceX rocket will crash into the Moon, could create a new crater and reignites concerns about space debris.

May raises a climate alert in Brazil, with Amazonas, Pará, and Roraima experiencing below-average rainfall, while weekly cold fronts advance through Southern Brazil, dropping temperatures in South-Central Brazil, and preceding a shift that could bring heat back before the end of winter in 2026.