There is no worse feeling than having your car break down on the road, far from home, with the family in the car and suitcases in the trunk. You can avoid most of those situations if you spend half an hour on a basic check a day or two before the trip.
Tires - the First Thing to Look At
Check the pressure in all tires, including the spare. Check pressure on cold tires, before driving. The correct pressure is listed on the sticker on the driver's door jamb or in the owner's manual.
Also look at tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but for a long trip, especially if you are heading to the coast and might hit rain on the way back, we recommend at least 3 mm. If you notice uneven wear, that means something is off with the alignment or suspension, and that needs to be addressed before you leave.
Do not forget to check that you have a full spare tire kit - jack, wheel wrench, and that the spare has enough air.
Fluids - Top Everything Off
Before the trip, check:
- Engine oil - if you are close to the change interval, swap it out before the trip rather than after
- Coolant (antifreeze) - the level must be between the min and max marks on the reservoir. Never open the cooling system cap while the engine is hot
- Brake fluid - the level is visible on the translucent reservoir near the engine. If it is low, that could mean the brake pads are worn
- Windshield washer fluid - sounds minor, but on a long drive when a truck splashes your windshield, this becomes a safety matter
Lights and Signals
Turn on all lights one by one and walk around the car. Check low beams, high beams, fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights. For brake lights, ask someone to press the pedal while you check from the rear.
A burned-out bulb takes five minutes to replace, and getting pulled over on a trip is an unpleasant experience.
Brakes
Pay attention to how the brakes behave in the days before the trip. If the car pulls to one side when braking, if you feel vibrations through the pedal, or if you hear squealing, that needs to be looked at. Brakes on a long trip, especially through the mountains, must be in good shape.
Belts and Hoses
Open the hood and visually inspect the belts. If you see cracks, wear, or looseness, that is a sign they need replacing. A broken belt on the highway can mean an overheated engine and an expensive repair.
Check the coolant hoses too. If they are soft, cracked, or show signs of leaking, replace them before, not after.
Warning Lights
Turn the ignition on (without starting the engine) and see which lights appear. When you start the engine, all warning lights except check engine and similar warnings should go off. If any stay lit, get it diagnosed before the trip.
Practical Checklist
To sum up, check these before every long trip:
- Tire pressure and condition (including the spare)
- Oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid levels
- All lights and turn signals
- Brakes (no vibrations, squealing, or pulling)
- Belts and hoses (visual check)
- Dashboard warning lights
- Jack and wheel wrench
Our Advice
If you are not sure about the state of the car or simply do not have time to check everything yourself, stop by a day or two before the trip. We will inspect the vehicle, top off the fluids, and let you know if anything needs attention. Better to spend half an hour at the shop than eight hours on the side of the road waiting for help.