Things to Check Before a Long Road Trip: Your Checklist

Road trips are exciting experiences that provide opportunities to visit other cities and explore unique attractions, but they are also very busy times to prepare for. At Take 5 Oil Change, we understand how hectic it can be to get ready to go. It is easy to forget to put your car on the list of things to check before a road trip, but it can be extremely frustrating if car trouble interrupts your adventures.

Always take time to complete any known repairs you may have been putting off. Traveling many miles from home with foreign noises, leaks, shakes, warning lights, and more is never a good idea. Then, perform a maintenance check before your trip to provide peace of mind on the journey. Or, better yet, come see us at a Take 5 Oil Change near you (opens in a new tab). We’ll cover a lot of your road trip checklist in just 10 minutes!

Why Car Maintenance Before a Road Trip is Essential

Nothing can throw a wrench in your travel plans like car trouble. That's why performing basic car maintenance before a long road trip is a must to keep you from getting stranded.

At Take 5, we take our customers’ satisfaction and safety very seriously. While performing your routine oil change (opens in a new tab), we’re also checking a number of things to ensure your car is in good shape and ready for wherever the road may take you. In fact, our road trip essential maintenance recommendations contain many measures we address each time you come to Take 5.

Use this simple road trip checklist to ensure your car is in good working order so you can enjoy your travels worry-free.

Your Road Trip Checklist: 10 Essentials

Here are ten essential car maintenance checks to complete before your next road trip.

1. Check If Your Vehicle Is Due for an Oil Change

Regular oil changes are essential to your vehicle’s performance and help prevent mechanical breakdowns. One of the most critical tasks for car maintenance before a long road trip is checking if you’re due for an oil change (opens in a new tab).

If you need an oil change, you can save time and money by taking your vehicle to Take 5. We make getting an oil change services (opens in a new tab) fast and simple. No appointments are necessary, and you can stay in your vehicle while we change your oil and complete most of your road trip checklist in just ten minutes!

2. Top Off Your Vehicle’s Fluids

Before hitting the road, check the levels of your car’s essential fluids and top them off as necessary, including:

• Oil
• Brake
• Power steering
• Transmission
• Coolant
• Windshield washer fluids

3. Replace Your Air Filter If Necessary

Your engine’s air filter prevents leaves, dirt, dust, and other debris from getting sucked in. Unfortunately, a sufficiently damaged or dirty engine filter can harm your vehicle and cause costly repairs or unexpected breakdowns. Dirty cabin filters can increase allergies and other unpleasant responses.

4. Take a Look at Your Wiper Blades

Wiper blades help you maintain visibility while driving in rain, snow, and sleet, so it’s important to check them for wear before you get on the road.

Windshield wiper blades need to be replaced every 6–12 months. Wiper blades that show cracking or splitting, do a lousy job wiping—if your wipers are skipping, streaking, or making noise, they are overdue for replacement. Neglecting this commonly overlooked maintenance task could lead to low visibility and increase the likelihood of an accident.

5. Inspect Your Tires and Check Your Tire Pressure

Tire inflation impacts your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, and damaged or worn-down tires affect your car’s ability to stop and avoid hydroplaning. They also put you at risk for blowouts. The increased stress on your tires during a long road trip can make a little problem much bigger. Check the treads and confirm that each tire has the correct pressure.

Don’t forget to check the condition of your spare tire!

6. Ensure Your Headlights and Taillights are Working Properly

Before your trip, ensure all your headlights, taillights, and signals are working correctly, and replace any dim or burned-out bulbs. Additionally, it’s a good idea to ensure your interior lights are working properly and replace any of those bulbs as necessary.

7. Check Your Battery

Check that all the connections to your battery are secure and free from corrosion. Inspect the battery itself for any signs of damage. If you are unsure of your battery’s age, you might want to have its voltage checked.

8. Inspect Belts and Hoses

Give all your belts and various hoses under the hood a visual check for cracking, tears, loose fit, or other signs of wear that might indicate one is at the end of its life.

9. Check Your Brakes

The next time you drive your car, pay special attention to how your brakes respond. Do you hear any noises or feel any grinding or resistance when you press the brake pedal? Are they responding as they normally do?

10. Test Your Air Conditioning and Heater

It may not leave you stranded, but not having air conditioning or heat makes for a miserable driving experience. Make sure both are working well.

Road Trip Essentials for a Safe Journey

Preparing for the unexpected will make your road trip smoother. Consider roadside assistance coverage to help provide further peace of mind. We also recommend ensuring your vehicle has these road trip essentials:

• Jumper cables
• Tire pressure gauge
• Extra blanket or towel that can get dirty
• Cell phone portable battery pack or charger
• Spare tire and tools
• Flashlight (check the batteries)
• Duct tape
• Emergency warning triangles
• First aid kit
• Water
• Paper towels
• Work gloves
• Sunscreen

Tips for a Hassle-Free Road Trip

Beyond the basics of car maintenance, you can do a few other things to ensure a safe and relaxing journey. Consider these items.

• Research sights along the way to use for stops and breaks.
• Download apps you may need, such as Google Maps Offline and camping or RV site locators.
• Snacks are always a good idea. You might include apples, citrus, grapes or raisins, nuts, chips and salsa, crackers, popcorn, and more. Remember to pack plenty of water!
• Include paper towels, wet wipes, and a garbage sack in easy-to-reach locations.
• Make sure you have items for all weather contingencies—umbrella, sunscreen, blanket, etc.
• Plan for things to do in the car. Try audiobooks, music playlists, individual activities like crafts, puzzle books, fidget soothers, or electronic devices (don’t forget the chargers). If you have small children, you can find many ideas for car and rest stop activities online.
• Always tuck some cash in a hidden area of your car. Debit and credit cards aren't always an option if you happen to lose your wallet or need emergency services. Small bills and change are handy for toll roads and other services that may not have credit card readers like air pumps and vending machines.
• Consider packing a separate “overnight” bag for stops along the way to avoid packing and unpacking your large suitcases each night.

Visit Take 5 Before Your Next Road Trip

Take 5 makes car maintenance before a long road trip effortless and affordable. Come in for an oil change (opens in a new tab) before the big day, and we’ll take care of over half the items on your checklist. During your oil change, we will:

• Check and top off all fluids.
• Check your air filters and provide affordable replacements if needed.
• Inspect your wiper blades and provide economical replacements.
• Inspect your tire treads and check tire pressure.
• Check your exterior lights and signals.
• Visually inspect all battery connections, belts, and hoses.

Find a Take 5 Oil Change Near You

Ensure your car is road-trip-ready by visiting a Take 5 location near you (opens in a new tab)!