Ownership | St. Peters, MO
Two drives most St. Charles County families make every summer, and the short list of things that keep them easy.
Memorial Day weekend splits St. Charles County in two. Half the county heads west on Highway 94 for the wineries around Defiance and Augusta, and the other half loads the cooler and points the car toward Lake of the Ozarks. Both trips are short enough that people skip any prep at all. Both have stretches where a problem turns a good day into a long wait on the shoulder.
None of this takes much time. A walkaround in the driveway, a quick visit with us if something's been bugging you, and a little thought about how you load the car covers most of it. We'll go through the two routes, what to check before you leave, and a few things owners tell us they wish they'd done.
Quick answer: A week before a road trip, walk around your Lincoln and look at tire pressure and tread, fluid levels, lights and wipers. If a warning light, noise or pull has been bothering you, book a pre trip visit so a technician can look before you leave town. Then pack heavy items low and forward, and don't overload the roof.
Wine country drive
Highway 94 curves and hills
Lake drive
A long stretch south of I-70
Prep time
About twenty minutes
In this post
What Makes the Highway 94 and Lake Trips Hard on a Car?
Highway 94 out past Defiance is a beautiful drive and a busy one. It's two lanes, it rolls up and down the bluffs above the Missouri River, and it has tight curves with not much shoulder. On a nice Saturday you'll share it with bicycles headed for the Katy Trail, slow traffic looking for winery signs, and people pulling out of gravel lots.
The lake trip is the opposite. It's mostly highway, a few hours in the heat with the AC running hard and the car full of people and gear. Long hot runs are where a low tire, a tired cooling fan or a slipping belt finally gives up. Cell coverage gets spotty in a few places, too, so a breakdown out there can mean a long wait.
Spend twenty minutes on the car before you go and you'll spend the weekend on the deck instead of on the phone with a tow truck.

What Should You Check Before Leaving Town?
Do this a few days ahead, not the morning you leave. That gives you time to fix anything you find.
Tires
Check pressure cold, using the number on the driver's door jamb label, not the tire sidewall. Look for low tread, cuts or bulges, and do the same for the spare or the inflator kit.
Fluids
With the engine cool, check engine oil and washer fluid. If coolant or brake fluid looks low, call us first, since low levels can mean a leak.
Lights and wipers
Have someone stand outside while you test headlights, brake lights and turn signals. Run the wipers and washer. Spring storms come in fast on the drive to the lake.
Dash check
Start the car and look for any warning messages. Write down anything you see so you can tell your advisor exactly what showed up.
The Lincoln app sends vehicle health alerts and keeps Vehicle Health Reports on your phone, so give it a look before you even walk outside. You can book a service appointment from it too.
Book a Pre Trip VisitExplore the Lincoln App
When Is a Pre Trip Service Visit Worth It?
If everything looks good and the car drives the way it always does, you probably don't need us. If something has been nagging you for a few weeks, the trip is the time to deal with it. A new noise, a vibration at highway speed, a pull to one side or a warning light that keeps coming back won't get better at 70 miles an hour with a full load.
Tell your advisor where you're going and how loaded the car will be. If you're due for an oil change or a tire rotation anyway, doing it before the trip saves you a second visit. The technician can also look over belts, hoses, brakes and the tires while the car is on the lift.
Book a week or more out, especially around a holiday. The days right before Memorial Day and the Fourth of July fill up fast.
Spend twenty minutes on the car before you go and you'll spend the weekend on the deck instead of on the phone with a tow truck.
How Should You Load a Lincoln for a Weekend Away?
Put the heaviest bags and the cooler low and as far forward in the cargo area as you can. That keeps the weight between the axles and helps the car feel steady in the curves on Highway 94.
Watch the total load. Your Lincoln's payload limit is printed on the label on the driver's door jamb, and it counts people as well as gear. A full third row, a loaded cargo area and a roof box can add up faster than you'd guess. If you're towing a boat or a pair of jet skis, check the owner's guide for your exact model and equipment, and make sure the trailer lights work before you leave the driveway.
Keep bags below the rear seat backs so you don't lose your mirror view in holiday traffic.
St. Peters driver tip
Heading for the wineries on a Saturday, leave before ten or come back on Highway 94 before late afternoon. Traffic stacks up around Defiance once the tasting rooms get busy. For the lake, gas up and grab ice in St. Peters before you get on the highway, since stops can get far apart once you're past the bigger towns.

What Should You Keep in the Car for the Drive?
A small kit covers most surprises. Phone chargers for everyone, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water, sunscreen and a towel or two. Keep your owner's guide where you can reach it.
If a warning light shows up while you're away, don't ignore it. Pull over somewhere safe, read the message, and check the owner's guide. A red warning usually means stop soon. An amber one usually means get it checked. Call us at 636-441-4400 if you're not sure, and we'll help you figure out whether it's safe to drive home.
Warranty Forever on qualifying vehicles
When you buy a qualifying new or pre owned vehicle from us, Warranty Forever covers the engine, transmission and drive axle parts listed in the agreement for as long as you own it. Covered repairs carry no deductible, as long as the required maintenance is done and on record.
See What Warranty Forever CoversQuestions Owners Ask About Trip Timing
How far ahead should I book a pre trip service visit?
A week or more is a good rule, and longer before a holiday weekend. That leaves time for parts if the technician finds something.
Is the day before I leave too late for a check?
It can work for something quick, but it leaves no room if a part has to be ordered. Earlier is safer.
Should I get an oil change before a long trip?
If you're close to due, yes. It's easier to do it before you leave than to find a shop in another town.
Questions Owners Ask About Tires and Pressure
Should I add air to my tires for a loaded trip?
Use the pressure on the driver's door jamb label. Some vehicles list a different number for heavy loads, and the owner's guide will say if yours does.
Why does my tire pressure light come on in the morning?
Cool morning air lowers tire pressure. If the light comes on and goes off once you drive, a tire is probably on the low edge and needs air.
Does my Lincoln have a spare tire?
It depends on the model and equipment. Some have a spare and some have an inflator kit. Check before you leave so you know what you're working with.
Questions Owners Ask About Loading and Towing
Where do I find my Lincoln's payload limit?
It's on the label on the driver's door jamb. That number includes passengers, cargo and the tongue weight of anything you tow.
Can I tow a boat to the lake with my Lincoln?
Many Lincoln SUVs can tow when properly equipped. Ratings depend on the model and equipment, so check the owner's guide or ask our team for your vehicle's figure.
Is a roof box safe on a Lincoln?
Use a box and rack rated for your vehicle, stay under the roof load limit in the owner's guide, and expect a bit more wind noise and a little lower fuel economy.
Questions Owners Ask About Trouble on the Road
What should I do if a warning light comes on during a trip?
Find a safe place to stop, read the message, and check the owner's guide. Red usually means stop soon, amber means get it checked. Call us if you're unsure.
Who do I call if I break down near the lake?
Call Lincoln roadside assistance using the number in your owner's guide or the Lincoln app. Keep a printed copy in the glove box in case your phone dies.
Can I have my Lincoln towed back to St. Peters?
Ask roadside assistance about your options. If it's towed to us, call 636-441-4400 so we know it's coming.
Questions Owners Ask About Our Store
Can I book a pre trip check on a Saturday?
Service is open Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. Weekday hours are Monday through Thursday 7 AM to 7 PM and Friday 7 AM to 5:30 PM.
Where are you located?
Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Peters is at 4760 North Service Road, right along I-70. It's an easy stop on your way west.
Does Warranty Forever cover towing on a trip?
No. The Warranty Forever agreement says towing and rental car coverage aren't included. It covers listed powertrain parts on qualifying vehicles.