What checks should I do before a long car journey?

Whether you dread the prospect of a long car journey or look forward to the thrill of the open road, there are several checks you need to do before setting off. You’ll also need to prepare yourself for multiple cries of ‘are we nearly there yet?’ from your impatient passengers, but that’s another story.

To help you on your way we’ve put together a list of some of the essential car checks you should be doing before a long journey to make sure you and your passengers arrive at your destination safely and without stress.

Why pre-journey checks matter

As Benjamin Franklin said, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. While that might sound like something you’d find on a motivational poster in an office meeting room, it’s something you’ll need to remember before you go on a long car journey.

Although cars are more reliable than ever, the AA deals with approximately 8,000 car breakdowns EVERY DAY, with flat batteries and punctures two of the most common reasons for a call-out. A long car journey could become even longer if you fail to ensure your car is roadworthy and reliable before setting off.

Whether you’re journeying from Llanelli to Lowestoft, venturing from Truro to Thurso, or road-tripping from Dover to Dijon, a little preparation could avoid the hassle of a breakdown or something more serious.

Essential car checks before a long journey

Tyres

You should be checking your car’s tyres at least once a month, but it’s especially important before a long journey, especially if you’re carrying several passengers and their luggage. You’ll need to inflate the tyres to the suggested pressures for heavy loads, which can be found on a sticker in the car or in the owner’s handbook.

Checking the pressures gives you the opportunity to inspect the tyres for cracks or damage which could lead to a puncture or blowout. The tyres should have at least 1.6mm of tread depth; anything below that is both unsafe and illegal. Stopping distances will increase and you’ll have less grip in wet and slippery conditions.

Fluids

Be honest, when was the last time you checked your car’s fluids? You’d be forgiven for not giving them a second thought because most of them should be okay between services, although this isn’t an excuse for not lifting the bonnet before a long journey.

Start with the engine oil, which you can check by removing the dipstick and making sure the level is between the minimum and maximum markers. The oil should be checked when the engine is cold and topped up if the level drops below the minimum mark. Consult the manual or use an online tool to find the right oil for your car.

A lot of long journeys coincide with a big event, such as a holiday or driving home for Christmas to spend time with the family. As a result, you’re likely to be sharing the roads with a lot of other drivers, which means you’ll almost certainly get stuck in traffic. It’s therefore important to check the coolant, which shouldn’t drop below the minimum mark.

Brake fluid and power steering fluid levels are other things to check while the bonnet is open, and don’t forget to top up the screenwash. The only other fluid we’d recommend is a travel mug filled with your favourite coffee, which means you won’t have to stop for an overpriced takeaway.

Lights

Before you set off on a long journey you should ensure all the lights work. This includes the headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, rear lights, indicators, hazard warning lights, fog lights, reversing lights and brake lights. Don’t forget the interior lights, because there’s nothing worse than rummaging around for keys or your toddler’s teddy when you arrive somewhere late into the evening.

You might need the help of a friend or family member to check the lights at the back of the car. Alternatively you could reverse up to a reflective surface, such as a window or garage door. Replace any defective bulbs before setting off and consider carrying a spare bulb set in case any lights blow on the long journey.

Battery health

Inspect the battery for corrosion and ensure it’s fully charged, especially if the car hasn’t been used recently. Cold weather and short journeys aren’t great for a battery’s health, so take action if your car struggles to start or you need the help of a set of jump leads to get going. Most garages will offer a free battery health check, and although this might result in the begrudging purchase of a new one, it’ll be cheaper than a distress purchase via a breakdown company, not to mention far less hassle.

Brakes

It’s a good idea to test your brakes before going on a long journey. This is especially important if you’re carrying a heavy load because the extra weight will increase the stopping distance of the car, which could lead to problems if you’re forced into an emergency stop.

If the brakes feel soft and spongy when you press the brake pedal, it could be because the pads are wearing thin. If you hear a grinding noise, the brake discs might need replacing. Ask a garage to help you out if you’re not comfortable checking the brakes.

Additional preparations for a long drive

If the car passes its inspection, you’re just about ready to go, but there are some other things you need to consider before setting off. In summary, these are:

Emergency kit

It’s a good idea to create a pack to be used in emergencies. Starting with the car, make sure you have a spare wheel or a tyre inflation kit in case of a puncture. You should also find the jack and wheel brace, which are likely to be under the floor in the boot or in one of the side compartments. Oh, and make sure there’s air in the spare tyre and it’s got enough tread – you’ll be breaking the law if the depth is below 1.6mm.

The emergency pack should also include a first aid kit (make sure to top it up regularly, make sure it’s complete and that everything is in date), a torch, jump leads, emergency warning triangle, tow rope and gloves. There are plenty of breakdown emergency kits available online.

Comfort items

Not everything you pack needs to be something that’s used in an emergency. Take some nibbles  and drink to enjoy on your journey, download an audiobook to your phone and create a playlist of your favourite tunes. If you’re on a family road trip, why not ask everyone to contribute to the playlist – but promise not to skip the songs that don’t float your boat!

One of the most important things to remember is a charging lead for your smartphones and tablets. If your car has just one USB port, it’d be worth investing in an adapter to allow multiple devices to charge at the same time. The small cost will be outweighed by the lack of arguments over who gets to charge or, worse still, if something goes flat!

Preparing for the worst, you should pack some blankets and warm clothes if you’re travelling in the winter and there’s a risk of getting stuck in the snow or in holiday traffic. Stick some sugary sweets in the boot but resist the temptation to tuck in just a few miles into the journey!

Navigation

Many of us rely on our smartphone or the car’s infotainment system to guide us to our destination, so make sure you’ve downloaded the latest version of the maps before you leave. Take a look at the route before you leave to familiarise yourself with some of the notable place names and road numbers – they might come in handy if the sat-nav stops working. You could even dust off the old road atlas for some retro-style exploring. 

Tips for the day of travel

Here are some quickfire tips for the day of the long journey:

• It’s advisable to take a break from driving every two hours. Stopping for just 15 minutes will help you stay alert while giving you the opportunity to stretch your legs and grab a tea or coffee
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially if the Met Office has issued a yellow, amber or red alert. Around a third of drivers who have been involved in a collision or near-miss on a major road said weather played a part in the incident
• Check the traffic reports. Many sat-nav systems have live traffic information, but you could also listen to local radio for the latest updates
• With the luggage in the boot and the children strapped in, do one final inspection of the car, checking for anything minor that could become a major issue on the journey. It’s better to be safe than sorry