A winter or road trip inspection is a full check of the systems that strand people: battery, charging, tires, brakes, fluids, belts, hoses, heating and lights. AutoTech Clinic does this at our shop on Michigan Ave in Dearborn and gives you a clear report of what we found.
The point is to find problems while they are still cheap and while you are still near home. A battery that is marginal in October is a tow truck in January, and a worn belt is a roadside breakdown on I-94 rather than a half hour in our bay.
- How Long
- About 1 hour.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Winter and Road Trip Inspection
- Winter is coming and you have not had the car checked
- You are planning a long drive out of state
- The battery is more than three years old
- You have not had the heat or defrost tested since last winter
- Tires are below about 5/32 of an inch heading into the season
- The car has been sitting unused for several months
What We Do
- 01
Battery and Charging
We load test the battery, measure alternator output and check the terminals and grounds. Cold weather is what exposes a weak battery.
- 02
Tires and Brakes
We measure tread depth at several points, check pressures, measure brake pads and inspect rotors, brake lines and hoses.
- 03
Fluids and Freeze Protection
We test coolant freeze point, check brake fluid moisture, top the washer fluid with a winter rated product and check all other levels.
- 04
Heat, Defrost and Lights
We confirm the heater reaches temperature, the defroster clears the windshield, the wipers are in good condition and every exterior light works.
- 05
Underbody and Report
On the lift we inspect brake lines, exhaust, suspension joints and CV boots for rust and wear, then give you a written report.
What Strands People in a Michigan Winter
In our experience the list is short and predictable. A weak battery that managed through the summer is the leading cause. Second is tires that were marginal in the fall and are hopeless on packed snow. Third is a cooling system that was slightly low and froze or overheated.
All three are visible in an inspection weeks before they strand anyone. That is the entire argument for doing this in October rather than hoping.
Before a Long Drive
A road trip inspection is the same check with an emphasis on what fails at sustained highway speed: tire condition and age, cooling system capacity, belts and hoses, brake condition and fluid levels.
We also look at the spare tire and the jack, which a surprising number of people have never checked. A flat spare is worth knowing about now rather than on a shoulder in Ohio.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- The inspection itself, which is a fixed time
- Any repairs found, which are quoted separately before any work
- Wiper blades, washer fluid and bulbs replaced at the same visit
- Whether a battery or tires need replacing
- Winter tire fitting if you choose to have it done at the same time
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.