Car Horror Stories: Road Mishaps You Should Avoid this Undas

Pasig City, Philippines – October 17, 2025 – Undas or All Saints' Day/All Souls' Day, is a time for families to come together, honor loved ones and reconnect with their roots. But for many, it also means long drives, packed highways, and unpredictable road conditions. As thousands of Filipinos prepare to travel to the provinces this season, Prestone®, the #1 Brake Fluid and #1 Coolant in the Philippines, reminds motorists that a safe journey begins with preparation, because road horror stories can creep up on you when you least expect them.

 

From flat tires to overheated engines, here are some of the most common car horror stories that can ruin your Undas trip, and how you can avoid them through proper car preventive maintenance and the right coolant for your car.

 

The flat tire surprise

Image you’re driving to your hometown, and you only have a few kilometers away to reach your destination when you hear a loud thud. You stop and check your car, and it turns out your tire gave up. Whether it’s a nail on the road or a worn-out tire, this classic road mishap can throw off your entire schedule.

 

That is why it’s important to inspect your tires before traveling. Make sure they have proper air pressure and don’t forget to bring a spare tire, jack, and tools. A quick check before the trip can spare you hours of roadside trouble.

 

The lost case of dead batteries

After a short stopover, you return to your car, only to find that it won’t start. A weak or drained battery is a common culprit during long weekends when cars sit idle for days before the trip.

 

Have your battery checked before you travel and clean any corrosion around the terminals. Keeping your lights, dash cameras, and accessories off when parked helps extend battery life. This is a simple car maintenance tip every driver should practice, even on casual daily drives.

 

The broken brakes scare

You’re in heavy traffic when your brakes suddenly feel soft or unresponsive. It’s every driver’s nightmare, and it usually stems from neglected car maintenance which often includes old brake fluid, worn pads, or leaks in the system.

 

Schedule a quick check-up at your nearest car maintenance service centers or talyers. Brake health is non-negotiable, especially on long drives. Remember, it’s always better to prevent than repair.

 

The curious case of stalled engine

You’re halfway through your journey when the car suddenly stalls in the middle of the road. The reason? Old coolant or a system leak that caused the engine to overheat.

 

When you’re far from a mechanic, Prestone Coolant Ready To Use can be a real lifesaver. Formulated with 5X Superior Cooling Protection Guaranteed, it protects your engine from overheating, rust, corrosion, and boilover, ensuring long-lasting protection for key components like the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and aluminum parts.

 

Because it’s pre-diluted and ready to pour, there’s no need to add distilled water or mix. Just top up your coolant anywhere and you’re good to go. Siguradong compatible with all makes and models, even motorcycles, and meets ASTM standards for superior performance.

 

The overheating nightmare

Few things are as stressful as seeing steam rising from your hood in the middle of a long drive. Overheating often happens when drivers skip basic car maintenance or use incompatible coolant for car.

 

Before you hit the road, make sure your car’s engine is protected with Prestone Asian Coolant. Engineered with 5X Superior Cooling Action and Cor-Guard™ Technology, siguradong compatible with your car brand.

 

The Prestone Asian Coolant 1L is available in RED/PINK, BLUE, and GREEN color variants.

 

• RED/PINK COOLANT: For all Toyota®, Lexus®, and Scion® vehicles, all years
• BLUE COOLANT: For all Honda®, Nissan®, Subaru® vehicles, pre-2009 to 2011 & Newer
• GREEN COOLANT: For all Isuzu®, Suzuki®, Hyundai®, KIA®, Mazda® Mitsubishi® vehicles, pre-2009 to 2011 & Newer

 

Turn your Undas trip into memories, not horror stories

As Filipinos gear up for the long Undas weekend, Prestone reminds every driver to take extra precautions before hitting the road. From checking your brakes to topping up your coolant, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and safe journey for you and your loved ones.

 

Don’t let car troubles become your real-life horror story this Undas. Keep your engine cool with Prestone Asian Coolant and Prestone Coolant Ready to Use— siguradong compatible with 5X superior protection your vehicle deserves.

 

Both Prestone Coolants are available at leading automotive stores and retail outlets nationwide, including True Value, Handyman, Ace Hardware, Blade, and online through the official stores on Lazada and Shopee. Prestone also urges customers to purchase only from authorized retailers to ensure product authenticity and vehicle safety.

 

To learn more about Prestone’s full range of products and car preventive maintenance tips, visit www.prestone.com.ph

 

Warming Up Your Car the Right Way

Pasig, Philippines; [June 30, 2021] – Amid the ‘new normal,’ most car owners use their vehicles less frequently. Except for frontline workers, the public is encouraged to go out only when necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Despite this, Prestone, a proven and trusted quality brand of Auto Care fluids since 1927, reminds motorists to religiously check their vehicles and go for annual preventive maintenance to avoid the hassle of a car breakdown when they return on the road.

According to Prestone Philippines, car owners need to focus on two frequently overlooked fluids—the Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluids.

Shifting With Ease

The Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an essential fluid that lubricates the bearings and metal parts inside a car’s automatic gearbox. It also keeps them from grinding down as they move.

Car owners need to regularly maintain their vehicle’s ATF since it not only lubricates the moving parts but also provides hydraulic pressure and friction to make the internal parts work. Transmission fluid in both manual and automatic transmissions also helps to keep the transmission cool. Since most cars today use AT transmissions, keeping tabs on them is vital since it is more expensive to repair than manual transmission cars.

Additionally, Prestone said that using auto transmission fluids provide the necessary power for the demands of the city or highway. Prestone’s Auto Transmission Fluid (ATF) helps delay and, at its best, eliminate the need for costly repairs with cracked and dry seals conditioning and its stop leak technology. In addition, its high and low-temperature friction characteristics provide smooth shifting under extreme conditions, meeting the needs of various cars.

Turning With Ease

Meanwhile, Power Steering Fluid (PSF) is a kind of hydraulic fluid transferring power in modern vehicles with power steering. As a vital part of your steering system, power steering fluid allows drivers to turn the steering wheel smoothly. The use of PSF vary depending on the car with some requiring ATF to come along with it.

Unfortunately, topping up PSF is typically not included in regular maintenance but it still needs to be maintained to prevent grit and sludge from accumulating and further getting into the car’s pinion seals and rack, consequently destroying it. Prestone highly recommends that car owners periodically change their car’s PSF, using high-quality fluids and consulting expert mechanics to maintain it.

The Prestone Power Steering Fluid protects pumps against pump breakdown caused by wear, oxidation, and foaming through its stop leak technology. As a result, it lessens pump squealing and aid in smooth power steering operation. It also pours at sub-zero temperatures to help assure cold weather steering performance.

As a final reminder, car owners must stay cautious against counterfeit products sold in the market today, especially Brake Fluid. Using fake products can cause malfunctions or permanently damage various parts of your vehicle, leading to a car breakdown, accidents, or engine replacement.

Watch out for sellers offering products that come from unknown sources and with suspicious prices and discounts. To know its authenticity, check the product’s details, look for imperfections, and ensure it has a PS mark or ICC stickers issued by the Philippine Bureau of Product Standards.

To know more about Prestone Philippines, visit their website at https://www.prestone.com.ph/ and follow their Facebook page, Prestone Philippines. You can also buy authentic Prestone products on their Lazada page, The Clorox Company Flagship Store.

Hot Take: Brake Systems Fail Under the Scorching Heat

Pasig City, Philippines; [May 10, 2021] – Summer is finally here! As we put our fans at max power and wipe the sweat off of our faces, motorists should be reminded that cars also need a break under this relentless heat, says Prestone Philippines, the leading manufacturer of cutting-edge coolants and brake fluids in the country.With authorities keeping NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) and three other areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine until May 14, Prestone encourages motorists to do the necessary preparations and keep their cars in its best shape for a safer journey.

However, one crucial car part you need to check, especially this season, is your car's brake system. When checking every part of your brake system, remember the importance of brake fluids since it keeps the brake system's moving parts lubricated, metal components protected from corrosion, and hoses and seals remain in good condition.

Brake fluids are also susceptible to scorching heat. It can lead to unwanted water absorption to the fluid –its arch-nemesis. When brake fluids absorb water, it can decrease their boiling point and heighten the risk of a spongy feeling in the pedal or complete brake failure.

Worn-out brake fluid can also endanger vehicles with Auto-Brake Systems (ABS) since its components are sensitive to moisture. So, make sure to keep your brake fluid fresh and use the best-quality, assuring product that's perfect for your car.

Prestone's DOT 4 Synthetic Hi-Temp Brake Fluid is built for systems that require high-temperature DOT 4 brake fluid. It exceeds specifications, with dry boiling point of >260C and wet boiling point of >165C, providing unmatched performance in high-temperature braking systems which provides corrosion protection for all metals within the braking system. It is suitable for disk, drum, and ABS brakes and compatible with most car models in the market now.

Beyond brake system care, give your vehicles double protection from the summer heat with the Prestone’s new Asian Ready-to-Use Coolant Range, coming in three variants: Asian RED, Asian BLUE, and Asian GREEN. It is specially formulated with POAT (Phosphate Organic Acid Technology) formula that best suits your specific car make and model, providing superior boil over and corrosion protection.

Other than your car’s brake system, remember to check your car’s BLOCBAGETS to make sure you are extra safe on the road, such as:

• Brake Fluid – Ensure only genuine and quality brake fluid is in your system for reliable braking power.
• Lights – Make sure all car lights from headlights, taillights, and turn signals are bright clear.
• Oil – Check on your car’s oil and other fluids to make sure it is fresh and at the right level.
• Coolant – Fill your engine with the right coolant to avoid over heating.
• Battery – Remember to keep your car battery fully charged, clean and properly installed.
• Air – Ensure that your tires have the right air pressure to be ready for a steady ride.
• Gas – Make sure your car has fresh gas and a full tank of it.
• Engine – Make sure it works smoothly consistently without weird sounds.
• Tires – Check your tires any signs of flatness to avoid road incidents.
• Self – Last but not the least, make sure you have the right mindset, and you are well rested when driving on the road.

Prestone also wants to remind motorists to stay cautious with the products they use on their vehicles, especially brake fluids that are possibly old or counterfeit. Using fake brake fluids can permanently damage or overheat your vehicle's engine and cause it to lose its brake, leading to accidents.

Watch out for sellers offering products that come from unknown sources and with suspicious prices and discounts. To know its authenticity, check the product's details, look for any imperfections, and ensure it has a PS mark or ICC stickers issued by the Philippines' Bureau of Product Standards. Many counterfeit products also have 900ml packaging.

To know more information about Prestone Philippines, visit their website, https://www.prestone.com.ph/ and follow their Facebook page, Prestone Philippines.