Road Trip Prep: A Mechanical Checklist

A breakdown hundreds of miles from home is stressful and often expensive. Most road trip problems give some warning, and a careful check a week or two before you leave can catch them. Starting early also means any problem you find can be fixed without a rush, and if you're due for an oil change or other scheduled service, you can get it done at home instead of on the road.

Tires and spare

Tires carry the whole load, and long highway miles at speed are hard on them.

• Pressure: Check when tires are cold. Use the number on the driver's door jamb sticker, not the maximum printed on the sidewall. Adjust for a fully loaded car if your owner's manual says to.
• Tread depth: Look for even wear and adequate depth. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems worth fixing before a long drive.
• Damage: Look for bulges, cracks, cuts or nails in the tread and sidewalls.
• Spare: Check the spare's pressure, and make sure the jack and lug wrench are in the car. Some cars carry an inflator kit instead of a spare, so learn how yours works before you need it.

Fluids and leaks

Check these with the engine cool and the car parked on level ground:

1. Engine oil: level and condition.
2. Coolant: level in the reservoir. Never open a hot radiator cap.
3. Brake fluid: level in the reservoir.
4. Transmission fluid: if your car has a dipstick for it.
5. Power steering fluid: if your car uses hydraulic steering.
6. Washer fluid: top it off. Bugs and road grime add up fast on the highway.

Look under the car where you usually park for fresh drips. A small spot of oil or coolant at home can become a bigger problem after a full day of hot highway driving.

Brakes, battery and lights

Mountain driving and heavy loads put extra demand on brakes. Have them inspected if you notice squealing, grinding, a soft or low pedal, vibration when stopping or the car pulling to one side. Our brakes coverage page explains which brake parts service contracts typically treat as wear items.

For the electrical system:

• Look for corrosion on the battery terminals.
• Ask a shop to test the battery if it's more than a few years old. Summer heat is hard on batteries.
• Check every light: headlights, high beams, brake lights, turn signals and hazards.
• Make sure your phone charger and any navigation mount work.

Belts, hoses, wipers and A/C

• Look for cracked, frayed or glazed drive belts.
• Squeeze hoses with the engine cool. They should feel firm, not soft, swollen or brittle.
• Replace wiper blades that streak or chatter. A sudden storm is a bad time to discover they're worn out.

A long summer drive will test your cooling system and air conditioning. If the A/C has been weak or the temperature gauge has been creeping higher than usual, have it checked before you go. Overheating on a mountain grade or in desert heat is one of the most common ways a trip goes wrong.

Pack an emergency kit

Even a well-prepared car can pick up a nail. Keep these in the trunk:

• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
• Flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Basic tools and work gloves.
• Reflective triangles or flares.
• First aid kit.
• Water and snacks.
• A blanket, especially in cold weather.
• A paper map, in case you lose cell signal.

Know your coverage before you leave

Find your roadside assistance number and your warranty or service contract details, and save them in your phone. Some plans include towing, trip interruption or rental car benefits, but the rules and limits vary, so read them before you need them. Many plans require you to call the administrator before a repair starts, even far from home. Our claims guide explains what to do if something breaks while you're traveling.

How Warranty Wizards can help

We help you compare service contracts from third-party providers, including plans that may offer roadside or trip interruption benefits. We'll explain the details before you buy. Get a free quote to see your options.