Going on a road trip with your friends and family is exciting. However, they can turn stressful if you’re not prepared. Getting your car ready for a road trip is easy and should be on everyone’s checklist before hitting the road.

There are several things you can do yourself to get your car ready for a long trip and some things are better left for the professionals. Knowing what car repairs can wait and what can’t is important. Spending your money on expensive repairs before going on vacation can be bothersome; but not as much as being stuck in the middle of nowhere, far away from home.

Five things you can do on your own to get your car ready for a road trip

1. Check Fluid Levels

Fluids like engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid are the basic essentials for your car to keep operating. Make sure these fluids are topped off and within the specified range. Keep in mind that some fluid reservoirs are hidden and can be mistaken for something else. It’s a good idea to refer to your owner’s manual if you’re not familiar with what you need to be looking at. Additionally, make sure you check underneath your car to see if there are any fluid leaks developing. Big leaks may cause catastrophic failures and definitely something you don’t want to happen especially when going on a long trip. Checking your fluids is a must-do, to get your car ready for a road trip.

2. Check Tires and Tire Pressures

Inspect all four tires for any cracking, separating, or any signs of abnormal wear. Check your tire pressures and inflate to factory specifications, displayed on your driver’s door. Lastly, don’t forget to check your spare tire and spare tire tools. Remember that you will be putting your tires through extreme driving conditions when going on a road trip. Doing something as simple as checking tire pressures and a little visual check will get you far.

3. Clean Your Car

When you’re out on the road, your car will be your home away from home. Having a clean car inside and out will not only open up space for luggage; it will also boost your morale and your passengers’. So give your car a quick wash, clean your seats, your carpet, and take all the junk out; your car will be another step closer to being road-trip-ready.

4. Check Your Lights

Getting pulled over for inoperative lights in the middle of a road trip will be inconvenient. Start by checking your low-beams and then check your high-beams. Check your turn signals; front and back. Now have someone step on the brake pedal while you check if the brake lights are working. Checking your lights is an easy step and should be done before heading out on a long trip.

5. Perform a Final Visual Inspection

Simply walk around your car and look for anything out of the ordinary. Check to see if there’s anything dragging or hanging underneath. Check underneath the hood for anything loose, like battery cables. Note down where all the dents and dings are; as you may get new ones out on the road without you knowing.

Take your car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection

Whether it’s the dealer or your local mechanic, getting your car checked out by a professional technician is one of the best ways to get your car ready for a road trip. Equipped with their automotive knowledge and tools, they’ll know exactly what to look for the moment you tell them you’re going on a long trip. Just be wary of unnecessary upsells you don’t need. When faced with a list of recommendations for your car, only do the ones that involve safety and drivability.

Should you go ahead with a big repair before going on a road trip?

It depends—Can you afford it? Is there another car you can drive instead? Is the repair urgent and necessary?

Also, having a big repair done before taking your car for a long trip can be risky. Mechanics are not perfect and they do make mistakes, it’s part of the job. But you don’t want that mistake to bite you in the ‘behind’ when you’re hundreds of miles away from home. That’s one thing you need to consider.

If you do go ahead with that big repair, try to have it done days in advance before your time of departure. Buy yourself some time to drive and get a feel for your car to check if the repair was done correctly.

Things you should bring when getting ready for a road trip

• Jumper Cables/Portable Car Jumper – Jumper cables don’t take up much room and can save you from your dead battery. Having a portable car jumper is even better if you decide to park in a secluded place with no other cars around.
• Tire Plugs/Tire Repair Kit – Plugging your punctured tire is a quick way to get back on the road before getting a more permanent repair done to your tire.
• Portable Air Compressor and Gauge – Tire pressures are very unstable depending on temperature. Having a portable air compressor while out on the road allows you to fill up and adjust your tire pressures as necessary.
• Basic Hand Tools – Although you don’t need to bring your whole toolbox when you go on a road trip. It’s good to have some pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, and a flashlight.
• Extra Water – Just in case your vehicle overheats and you don’t have the engine coolant you need to fill up your cooling system. You can also use water to fill up your washer fluid reservoir for all those bugs stuck on your windshield.
• Fuel Container – As fuel stops are sometimes limited, it’s good to have backup fuel in hand. Just be mindful of where you store this in your vehicle. A lot of things can go wrong with gasoline. Only bring one if deemed a complete necessity.
• Tire Chains – If you’re traveling in the winter and snow is going to be a factor in your road trip. Not having snow chains on your tires when they’re needed can be a no-go situation.

Roadside Assistance – Do you need it?

Before going on a road trip, make sure you have your emergency contacts ready just in case things turn sideways. When road emergencies arise, it’s good to know someone has got your back. Whether it’s getting a flat tire, running out of fuel, or your car not starting; having good roadside assistance will surely give you peace of mind.

FAQ: Can I take my car on a road trip?

The reality is, you know your car best. If you take care of your car and perform your routine maintenance, there shouldn’t be a reason why you can’t. As long as your car feels safe to drive and has shown a good track record for reliability—Sure, why not? On the other hand, if you have pending repairs like a leaking cooling system or a check engine light that’s been ignored for ages, you probably shouldn’t be driving your car anywhere.

Conclusion

To have a successful road trip, you have to start with your car first. The vehicle that’s going to take you places. It’s your home away from home. Don’t just go driving off without checking if your car is in any shape for travel. The more prepared you are, the better time you’re going to have. Pay attention to your car and perform visual inspections. Make sure to bring emergency equipment for unexpected hassles down the road. Get a roadside assistance subscription to give you peace of mind. Finally, realize that the best way to get your car ready for a road trip is by taking good care of it on a daily basis. Getting your maintenance done regularly will take you and your car a long way.