Duane ‘Doc’ Watson is the type of person you want by your side when your vehicle acts up. With more than 45 years of experience in the field of automotive repair, both as a technician and trainer, he lives and breathes the auto industry — and knows just about everything there is to know about how to prevent a breakdown and how to fix a vehicle.
Photo: KBL Studio/Shutterstock
The Essential Car Maintenance Skills to Know Before Your Next Road Trip, According to a Decorated Automotive Repair Instructor
After his degree in engineering from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), he started his career by working for GM and collected accolades: Chevrolet’s Technician of the Year, Buick’s Service Master and Cadillac’s Service Master of the Year, and Technician of the Year from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The man knows his stuff. In fact, he knows it so well that he became an automotive instructor and taught thousands of auto repair technicians over the years in multiple institutions. Today, while he continues teaching auto repair across the country, he also works at engineering and technology company Bosch, developing classes and other training resources to educate Bosch employees and repair technicians on how to utilize repair tools and equipment.
“I’m passionate about going fast and solving problems — and the auto repair industry felt like a good place to flex both of those muscles,” Watson, a man who seems to weigh every word, says.
But you can’t pack an automotive repair genius like Watson in your trunk and pull him out when something goes awry on your road trip. You can, however, be ready for some of the more likely issues that arise. As Watson puts it, “failing to plan is planning to fail.”
Here, Watson breaks down the most common car issues that’ll ruin your road trip — and how to prevent and fix them.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Matador Network: What are the most common car issues people encounter during a road trip?
Duane Watson: Your tires will be getting plenty of wear, so it’s possible they could sustain a puncture or blowout that’ll lead to a flat. If this happens, prop your car up on the jack you brought, loosen and remove the lug nuts and flat tire, put the new tire on and replace your lug nuts, then lower your car back to the ground and tighten things up.
If you’re driving with an older battery, alternator, or accidentally leave your lights on, your battery may die while on your trip. If possible, utilize jumper cables and another car to jumpstart your battery before driving to the nearest auto supply store to get a replacement.
It’s possible for your engine to overheat during a road trip. If you notice your temperature gauge rising, see or smell smoke, pull over and turn your car off. It’s possible you just need to top off your coolant, which is an easy fix. If the issue is more complex — say, a clogged radiator or a malfunctioning water pump or cooling fan — you may need to pay a trip to a nearby repair shop before continuing on your journey to protect your engine and personal safety.
If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your brake pads, it’s possible the extra wear they gain on your trip will cause problems while braking. If you notice squealing or grinding noises or if your brakes show less resistance and sink to the floor, pull over immediately. Check on your brake pads and brake fluid — if both are in good standing, visit a repair shop for deeper analysis.
What maintenance skills should people know before going on a road trip?
Knowing how to change a tire and jumpstart your vehicle will prove helpful in everyday driving situations, but this knowledge is especially important when committing to longer-distance travel.
It’s valuable to understand where each fluid is located in your car and how to check whether they need topping off. Similarly, the ability to utilize a tire gauge and inflate or deflate tires as necessary will help you get the most life out of your tires. It’s also valuable to understand how to visually inspect your engine’s belts and hoses for wear or malfunction, so you’ll know when something’s out of order and can pursue replacements accordingly.
On that note, knowing how to make quicker, simpler replacements, such as changing wiper blades or filters, will potentially save you a trip to the repair shop.
Finally, get to know your dashboard by studying your owner’s manual so you’re ready to properly interpret and solve any warning lights that come up.
For help mastering any of the above, connect with a local repair shop near you — their technicians will be happy to provide that education so you can set out on a safe trip.
What are the top five things everyone should check their vehicle for before heading on a road trip?
- Brake pads: If you notice squealing sounds, unusual vibrating, or other indicators of bad performance, or physical signs of wear, swap in a new set before you set off.
- Tire pressure: Under-inflated tires can impact vehicle stability and control of the car, plus they can compromise brake performance. Additionally, they wear faster and fail more easily, meaning you could be signing yourself up to buy a new tire much sooner than you otherwise might have.
- Engine air filter: If it’s been a moment since you’ve swapped in a new one, making that replacement can guarantee you better engine performance and efficiency on the road. And be sure to swap your in-cabin filter, as well — doing so every 12-15K miles or so will improve the airflow and quality within your car, which is especially crucial between the allergy and wildfire seasons.
- Windshield wiper blades: Wiper blades should be replaced every 6-12 months so you maintain ideal visibility on your drive.
- All of the car fluids: Wiper fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, coolant and brake fluid. Keep an eye on the levels of each and top off where necessary before hitting the road. If you’re not confident in handling a given fluid yourself, your local repair shop will be more than happy to help you out.
What should people pack in case of mechanical trouble on a road trip?
Anyone embarking on a road trip should consider packing a reliable set of basic, traditional tools — think screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers — in case any minor screws, nuts, or bolts come loose during their journey.
It’s also important to come prepared for any tire failure you may encounter while driving. Assemble a trusty tire changing kit in case of a flat, including a properly-inflated spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. It’s also good practice to pack a tire puncture repair kit in case you encounter further damage after using your spare, complete with a rubber plug, insertion tool, sealant, and scissors.
Don’t forget to bring extra fluids. It’s possible your windshield wiper fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, coolant, or brake fluid might need topping off while on the road, so make sure you have each of these handy.
Additionally, I would recommend investing in a pair of jumper cables in case your battery dies and you need a jumpstart to get to a replacement.
What should trippers check on regularly during their trip?
If you topped off most of your fluids before setting off, you may only need to worry about gauging certain fluid levels further if you notice anything unusual while driving. The exception to this is windshield wiper fluid — when you’re stopped for a break or to fill up on gas, it’s a good idea to check on fluid levels here and top off if necessary, so you don’t wind up stuck with limited visibility while in motion.
It’s also good practice to check on the pressure in your tires every couple of stops, utilizing a tire gauge to check that your tires haven’t sustained any trauma that’s gone unnoticed.
What do you never road trip without?
I like to carry a portable air compressor/tire inflator. There are many inexpensive ones available today. Additionally, I always bring a Bosch OBD 1200 code reader tool, because you just never know when a light might come on the dash and, with this tool, I can at least see if it is a light warning me not to drive much farther before a repair is needed. And, of course, a digital tire pressure gauge, such as an OTC-Bosch Automotive 204-354. 