Lots of I-12 and I-55 Miles? What to Keep an Eye On
Plenty of people in Hammond drive I-12 to Baton Rouge or the Northshore, or I-55 to LaPlace and New Orleans, every day. That's a lot of miles in a year. The good news: highway miles are easier on a car than stop-and-go miles. The catch: they still add up fast.
By the ATS Auto Repair team in Hammond ·
What highway driving is easy on
At a steady speed, the engine runs at a steady temperature, the transmission isn't shifting much, and you're not on the brakes very often. That's why a car with mostly highway miles is often in better shape than one with the same miles from short trips around town.
What it still wears out
Oil
Oil changes go by miles as well as time, and commuters hit the miles first. If your oil life monitor says 15%, plan for the change now, not in two weeks. See oil changes and car maintenance.
Tires
Long drives at speed put real heat into tires. Low pressure makes it worse and wears the edges. Check the pressure monthly, rotate on schedule, and watch for uneven wear. A tire that's worn or underinflated is also more likely to hydroplane in a heavy rain on I-12. See tires in Hammond.
Alignment and suspension
If the car drifts in your lane or the steering wheel isn't straight, the alignment may be off. On a long commute, that's a lot of miles of uneven tire wear. Worn shocks or struts make the car float or bounce over the expansion joints on the bridges. See suspension and steering.
The front of the car
Bugs, gravel and road debris pack into the grille and the A/C condenser and radiator behind it. Lovebug season makes it worse. Packed fins don't let air through, which can make the A/C weaker in traffic and the engine run warmer. Rinse the front of the car gently, and see car A/C repair if the A/C has gotten weak.
Wipers and lights
Wiper blades wear out from sun and heat as much as use. Streaks or chatter mean it's time. Hazy headlight lenses cut how far you can see at night on an unlit stretch of interstate.
Backups count as hard driving
Sitting in a backup in the summer, with the A/C on full and the engine idling, is hard on the cooling system and the battery. If the temperature gauge creeps up in traffic and comes back down at speed, get the cooling fans checked before it gets worse.
The long bridges
South of Ponchatoula, I-55 crosses the Manchac swamp on a long bridge with very few places to stop. If the car has been acting up, deal with it before you're out there. Same for the Atchafalaya Basin bridge on I-10 west of Baton Rouge. Before a holiday trip, see our pre-trip car check.
A simple routine for commuters
- Check tire pressure once a month.
- Keep up with oil changes by the mileage, not just the calendar.
- Rotate the tires on schedule.
- Pay attention to new noises, pulls or vibrations. They show up early on the highway.
- Get the battery tested if it's more than a few years old.
Easy to fit in
We're at 2810 W Church St, less than a mile from I-55 Exit 31. Drop your keys in the after-hours box on the way out of town and we'll call you during the day. Call 985-304-8016 or book online.
Questions we get
Are highway miles better than city miles?
Generally, yes. Steady speed is easier on the engine, transmission and brakes than stop-and-go driving. But the miles still count toward oil changes, tires and other scheduled maintenance.
How often should a commuter get an oil change?
Follow the oil life monitor or the mileage in your owner's manual. Commuters usually hit the mileage before the time limit.
Why does my car pull on the interstate?
Common causes are alignment, uneven tire pressure, a worn tire or a suspension part. Check the tire pressure first, then have it looked at.
Related
This is general information, not a diagnosis of your car. Every car is different, so call us with your year, make and model, or bring it by.
Ready to get it looked at?
Call 985-304-8016 or book online.