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

 

Artists Volunteer to Paint Manila North Cemetery Wall for Undas

One of them is Demetrio “Demet” Dela Cruz, an award-winning artist who also grew up in Manila made the initial sketch together with fellow distinguished artist John Paul “Japs” Antido.

Dubbed “Flores Para Los Muertos (Flowers For The Departed),” the project is a collaboration between the Pinto Art Museum, Office of Mayor Isko Moreno, Office of Congressman Yul Servo Nieto, and Davies Paints Philippines, Inc.

“The idea is a bouquet,” Dela Cruz says. “The essence is unity; to produce an arrangement of native Filipino flowers as a non-political offering to Manila and to the departed who rest in the cemetery.”

"We offer flowers to the dead all the time as a way of paying homage to our loved ones,” Dr. Joven Cuanang, the founder of Pinto Art Museum says. “As we are nearing All Saints Day, this is also a celebration to our cherished tradition.”

The event was like a gathering of friends and family on a Sunday, doing what they love together. Another award-winning artist, Jim Orencio, says when Dr. Cuanang told them about the project, they happily volunteered. With him were his children who are also artists, Shannah and Rex, who were assigned their own parts of the mural.

The over 300-strong volunteers managed to paint the whole mural in just 10 hours.
Manila 3rd District Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, was present at the event. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanila, (I’m very grateful to them)” he says about the artists. The actor-turned-congressman, shares how he hopes the mural will make art more accessible and contribute to the transformation of Manila.

“Ang sining hindi lamang para sa mayaman, kundi para sa lahat, (Art is not just for the rich. It is for everyone.)” Nieto says.

In 2018, the Manila North Cemetery saw 1.5 million visitors on Undas. This year, visitors to the country’s oldest and largest cemetery will find a 500-meter mural along its eastern wall. “This is really something special for us because of the cemetery’s historic roots and because the event brought together over 300 volunteers who were able to finish this vibrant monument in 10 hours,” Davies Paints Marketing Communications Manager Jo Ann Viriña says.

This isn’t the first time Davies Paints has contributed to beautifying a locale.
In 2016, they collaborated with the Tourism Department in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and with Tam-awan artists who painted 200 houses for the colorful Stonehill, Botiwtiw, and Sadjap (STOBOSA) Hillside Homes Artwork in La Trinidad, Benguet.

They have contributed to beautifying many parts of the country since. Their most recent prior to this was earlier in 2019, when they collaborated with Mandaluyong City government and with artist group Ang Gerilya to paint pillars along Shaw Boulevard with murals depicting the city’s folklore.

Davies Paints hopes it can continue contributing to the beautification of more localities. “We want to transform communities through colors,” Viriña says.

Road Safety Tips for a Stress-Free Undas

Thousands of Filipinos are expected to travel to their respective provinces in observance of Undas. Some of those who will traverse the road will be driving with their cars. For long trips, it is especially important to make sure that the car is properly equipped and in good condition for safe driving.

This Undas, PRESTONE, a leading innovator of cutting-edge coolants, brake fluid, and motor oils, is joining the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” project of Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), where they will be providing assistance to motorists who will pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).

For a safer and convenient travel, PRESTONE shared safety tips to promote and ensure the safety of travelers heading to their provinces.

Prepare a list of emergency hotlines

Some unavoidable circumstances may occur while on the road, so take note of these emergency phone numbers that you can easily connect to when the need arises. Some of the hotlines you can call for assistance are: North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) hotlines - (02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910; Twitter: @NLEXtraffic; Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) hotlines - (0920) 96-SCTEX (72839) (traffic hotline) or (045) 459-0522; Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) hotlines - (02) 825- 400, call and text hotline: 0942-822-8489.

Don’t forget your BLOWBAGETS

Ever heard of BLOWBAGETS? It probably sounds funny, but it is, actually, an acronym for the things you should check before heading out: battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self.

Aside from using water, you should also use a coolant, a fluid that absorbs heat from the engine and then dissipates it through the radiator. Using the right coolant for your engine will provide the ultimate cooling system protection to avoid overheating, rust, and corrosion.

Whether you’re just driving to work or going on a long trip to the province, try to make it a habit to inspect your car. By checking your BLOWBAGETS, you get to ensure a safe and trouble-free trip.

Set aside money for food and accommodation

You might find yourself spending hours stuck in the madness of traffic jams on your way to the province. Long drives can be quite tricky, so consider preparing filling grubs like sandwiches before heading out. There are also stopovers on the way, so fill your stomach so you won’t be hungry while on the road.

As such, some trips can last for more than 12 hours, which can be exhausting especially for the person driving. Don’t force yourself to traverse the road and try to look into cheap accommodation where you can stay for the night—or day.

Prepare gasoline and auto care needs

Making sure your car is in good condition before any trip is important. Try to take your car to a mechanic if it needs work or maintenance before heading out.  Consider estimating your cost for gas as well so you can already set aside money.

To help you with your auto care needs, PRESTONE will be providing products and services in specific designations so that the safety and security of all travelers will be safeguarded.

From October 31 to November 4, 2018, 6 AM to 6 PM, PRESTONE will be providing mechanic service at SMSK motorists camps in SCTEX Floridablanca Lay-by (Subic bound) and CAVITEX Paranaque toll plaza and Kawit toll plaza.

PRESTONE will also offer brake fluid efficiency testing at SCTEX-Floridablanca Lay-by and CAVITEX-Kawit toll plaza from the said date.

To know more about PRESTONE and the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” campaign, visit its website at www.prestone.com.ph.