How to Prepare a Car for a Road Trip?

Getting ready for a road trip is a process that requires careful planning. What to pack, where to go, things to do, and tons of other things will go through your mind while you’re preparing. With that said, one thing that often gets neglected is the car.

Preparing for a road trip means you’ll need to think about your transportation. Think of this like going on a first date. You want everything to go smoothly and avoid any surprises, which is an analogy that can be applied here.

This is why it’s important to follow a few steps to prepare your car for a road trip. Today, I’ll outline the most important ones.

Car’s Mechanical and Maintenance Checks for a Road Trip

Fluid Levels

There are several fluids in your car that help it perform as intended and some which are good to have. On the essential side of things, you have engine oil, brake and clutch fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid. All of these are essential for your car to drive, steer, and brake properly.

Before going on this journey, you’ll need to ensure the fluid levels are optimal, as instructed by your owner’s manual. If you see some of them below the required level, top them off to ensure proper operation. With that said, losing fluids in your car isn’t quite normal, so you might want to check that out. Unless you own a BMW, in which case the oil leak under your car isn’t a problem; it’s a feature. (joke)

A few notes here. If you have an automatic, then don’t bother looking for a clutch fluid reservoir, as you won’t find any. Also, cars with electric steering racks don’t rely on power steering fluids, so you can skip that. If you’re not sure about which fluids to check, you can look up that information in the manual.

I did mention that there is an optional fluid, and that’s the windshield washer. It’s not essential, but it’s nice to have in case you need a clean windshield quickly.

Inspect the Tires

Tires are an essential part of your car, and they are tasked with complying with your inputs. They’re responsible for accelerating, braking, and steering, and as the only part that makes contact with the road, you’ll want them to be in the best shape possible.

The second aspect you’ll need to check before going on a road trip is the tires and their condition. Inspect the tread depth and check for any damage, such as cracks, bulges, or uneven wear. Seeing any of these means the tire could be a potential hazard, making it unsafe.

You should also check the tire pressure and ensure that all tires are inflated according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This information is comfortably on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door.

One thing many people overlook is the spare tire. Sure, many new cars come with repair kits, which I hate, but the older models either had a space saver or a full-sized spare. If you have one of these two, make sure to inspect it and inflate it per spec. You’ll never know when you may need it, so make sure it’s in good shape.

Check the Brakes

Accelerating is only half of the driving experience, as your car needs to slow down, which brings me to the brakes. Going on a road trip means you’ll need to make sure they’re in good shape, as it’s a safety feature you don’t want to forget about.

You can do some testing and drive around to see if your car stops normally. When I say normally, I mean stopping at a reasonable distance and not pulling to one side. While you’re checking this out, you also want to turn down the radio and listen to any noises that shouldn’t be there.

If your car doesn’t have steel wheels, you can also inspect the thickness of the pads. Depending on the design of the wheels and the calipers, you should be able to see the pads and assess the thickness. Consider replacing them if they’re near the end of their life, especially if you’re planning on taking a longer road trip.

Test the Lights and Signals

Being visible and able to signal on the road is essential on any trip. This is why it’s essential to check if all the lights and signals work properly on your car.

During this process, you’ll need to check the headlights, hazard lights, turn signals, and reverse lights. You may also want to check the fog lights, especially if you plan on driving through areas where fog is common.

Windshield Wipers

Topping up the windshield wiper is only part of the story when it comes to having a clean windshield. The wipers need to be in good shape, which is another aspect you’ll need to check.

Like the fluid, it’s not an emergency, but it can be necessary. The blades need to make perfect contact with the glass, so if you see streaks or hear them make screeching sounds, you should replace them.

Additional Preparations for a Road Trip

Emergency Kit

Even though you’re checking your car to avoid emergencies, having a kit is something you should consider. Your essentials list should include packing and checking essentials like a first aid kit, reflective triangle, tire kit, and jumper cables. You can also be prepared by adding water and snacks in case you get stuck somewhere for longer. 

Navigation Tools

It’s 2025, so we all have navigation on our phones or cars so what’s the deal with this? Even though we’re constantly connected, you may pass through areas with limited coverage, so you can at least download your maps for offline use.

You can take it up a notch and have a physical map in case something happens with your phone. The chances of this are slim to none, so that map probably won’t see the light of day. With that said, I’m covering all the emergencies, so having one isn’t the worst thing you can do.

Paperwork

It doesn’t matter if your road trip is a few hundred or thousands of miles; you’ll still need to have the necessary paperwork with you. In most cases, that includes a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance.

Depending on your destination, you may need a permit or a reservation, which you must have. Some of these come in digital format, but like with the map example, print it out just in case.

Ask for help

I went through the mechanical and essential things you’ll need to go on a road trip, so you think you’re good, right? Not really. As easy as it all seems in a written format, not everyone can do these checks themselves, especially the maintenance ones.

If you’re unsure if you can do it right or feel like you can’t do it yourself, take your car to a mechanic. They’ll check everything for you, in some cases more than what’s on this list, and will report back the condition of your car and whether it is suitable for a long-distance journey.

Conclusion

Preparing for a road trip is no small feat. In addition to planning the actual trip and packing, you’ll also need to pay attention to your car. Preparing it is essential to ensure everything goes smoothly and you get there and back safe and sound.

Today’s checklist will put you on the right path. I covered the most essential aspects to check and keep in mind. Asking for help never hurts anybody, so if you’re not sure if you can do it yourself, take your car to a mechanic.

Safe trips!

Featured image by paje victoria on Unsplash