What to Check Before a Long Road Trip

A pre-trip check takes far less time than finding a repair shop on the road. Focus on tires, fluids, lights and safety-critical basics.

Tires and spare

Check cold tire pressure, visible damage, tread condition and the spare tire or repair kit.

Fluids

Check engine oil, coolant and brake fluid according to the vehicle manual, using the correct conditions and level surface.

Lights and wipers

Test headlights, brake lights, indicators, washer fluid and wiper condition.

Documents and emergency basics

Verify insurance, documents, phone charging and basic emergency supplies before departure instead of on the roadside.

Bottom line

Keep the solution simple: start with the most likely cause, change one factor at a time, and observe the result. That makes it much easier to identify what actually works in your situation.