Car Road Trip Checklist: 7 Things to Inspect Before Your Out-of-Town Drive

Road trips are great because you can leave your stress behind, visit your relatives in the province, or see new places without having to get on a plane. So, don’t allow your trip to be ruined when your car suddenly breaks down in the middle of an unfamiliar road! Take a look at this handy car road trip checklist to make sure that your ride is ready for the long drive.

Car Road Trip Checklist (7 Things You Must Inspect)

1. Check your tire’s condition
2. Ensure you have enough fluids stored
3. See if your car battery needs replacing
4. See if your car brakes work
 5. Test your headlights and taillights
 6. Have your car aircon checked
 7. Don’t forget your emergency kit

1. Check your tire’s condition

Check the condition of your tires including your spare. Make sure that the pressure matches what’s written in the manual or on a sticker near the driver’s door. Take a look at the pressure when your car is still parked, since the heat from driving would already change the pressure. Also, see if the treads on your tire are not worn out. You don’t want your car slipping out of control on slick expressways.

Inspect the vehicle's body and tires before you buy it - Carousell PH Blog

2. Ensure you have enough fluids stored

Prevent overheating by topping off your radiator with a mixture of 50% engine coolant and 50% water. Straight tap water without a coolant mix is harmful, but you can use distilled water when you’re already on the road. Also, top off your engine oil up to the maximum level. Additionally, fill up your gasoline tank and check your windshield fluid reservoir.

Browse car parts and other essentials on Carousell

3. See if your car battery needs replacing

If your car battery is over two years old, it might already be due for a replacement. See if it has rust, cracks, leaks, loose parts or discoloration. Test it with a voltmeter to check if it needs a charge. The ideal voltage should be 12.4 to 12.7 volts.

Motolite-Automotive-Car-Batteries-on-Carousell
@motoliteexpresshatid Official Store on Carousell

4. See if your car brakes work

When your car does not stop after hitting your brakes, there is obviously something very wrong. Check if your brake fluid is not leaking and that your brake pads are not worn out. You don’t want to lose control of your car when going up and down steep mountain roads.

Suggested read: Care tips for your car

5. Test your headlights and taillights

Even if you know that you’re driving in the morning, your drive could still last all day. For dark provincial roads and tunnels, you would need working headlights, taillights and turn signals. Test them before leaving the garage.

Buy LED headlights for your car - Carousell Philippines Blog

6. Have your car aircon checked

When your car aircon has already behaved oddly in the past, it will be good to have it checked out before your trip. An hour in the city traffic without aircon is bad enough, so imagine that multiplied after a few hours of driving in a packed vehicle.

Browse car parts and other essentials on Carousell

7. Don’t forget your emergency kit

Be sure to have your car’s manual, insurance policy and warranty in the car. You should also have a basic tool kit with a flashlight, tow straps, jumper cables and tire iron for troubleshooting on the road. Plus, don’t forget the people in the car. Take with you enough drinking water and a first-aid kit.

Use this car road trip checklist for safer travels!

This is a basic checklist for your car regardless of how long you’ll be driving it, so it’s good to learn how to do these checkups yourself. But for those who still doubt their car expertise, just take your car to a mechanic or gasoline station at least a week before your trip.

Stay safe and enjoy your road trip. 🙂


Find-your-car-or-motorcycle-Carousell

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here