When the rubber meets the road

By Dave Trux

Now that you’ve just read the title, you may have already correcting me by thinking “Dave, you got the old idiom all wrong. It’s not “When the rubber meets the road, it’s “Where the rubber meets the road”! This old saying of course defines the most crucial point of any event, the real moment of truth. For example, let’s say you have the most beautiful vintage car in the world but kept it in the garage all summer and then finally decide to take it up to Lake Tahoe during the holiday season for a joyful weekend adventure. That event would refer to where the rubber meets the road.

At the same time, especially in this example, it’s also important to note when the event actually happens, because there’s also another important old saying to pay attention to: Timing is everything! As we fall back into autumn, the leaves on the trees aren’t the only things that are changing. The weather overall can change in an instant in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada’s. It can go from sunny and pleasant one minute to wet and wild the next.

With that being said, whether you’re taking your classic vintage vehicle or the family sedan up into the mountains for a well deserved weekend retreat, be sure that you’re ready for anything and everything that old man winter throws at you. We encourage you to check the condition of your wiper blades, belts, hoses and all fluids, especially your coolant.

Coolant condition is critical, which is why we strongly recommend regular coolant flushes. Under freezing conditions, expansion occurs and that expansion creates pressure, which can blow any number of coolant pipes or hoses. The engine block also has freeze plugs and under expansion, those plugs are designed to pop off to prevent catastrophic engine damage. If this happens, then all the fluid will drain out, along with your dreams of the perfect getaway as you wait along the side of the highway in a freezing blizzard for AAA to come save the day!

Of course, this article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the actual rubber that separates your family from the wet, icy or snow covered asphalt that’s also known as Highway 50. With that said, be sure to carefully inspect the condition of your tires and don’t forget to pack your tire chains. While you’re at it, you might want to test fit them in your driveway at home before you go up. If you wait until the highway signs read “Snow chains required” and the men in the ski coats wave you to side of the road, you may end up getting soaked in more ways than you could imagine!