I would just like to hear the things that you do to prepare for a long road trip. Thanks and be safe!
How do you prepare your auto for a road trip?
- Thread starter hardcore302
- Start date
Not much. I have the hood open at least once a week checking things out. I may check the tire pressure.
Me: Gummy bears in the door pocket, cigar in the ash tray and six pack under the seat.
My wife and son had a cool road trip this summer checking out schools in NY, upstate NY and VT (Champlain College). I changed the oil in the Stinger, added some washer fluid, did a visual and away they went.
My wife and son had a cool road trip this summer checking out schools in NY, upstate NY and VT (Champlain College). I changed the oil in the Stinger, added some washer fluid, did a visual and away they went.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I don't. My cars are always ready. And I don't mean that as in I take such immaculate care of them either, I'm just not too worried about it.
Took my 7 year old Hyundai on a 1,700 mile trip last July. Didn't check the oil or even put air in the tires before I left. Or after I got back.
Took my 7 year old Hyundai on a 1,700 mile trip last July. Didn't check the oil or even put air in the tires before I left. Or after I got back.
Fill it with diesel, DEF and Diet Pepsi for the driver.
Usually just fill up the tank and the middle row with a small cooler and tons of snacks and go. if the oil is 85%+ done ill change it but if its at 70% ill just go and change it coming back. i hardly check fluids and such since it's basically a non issue even after 315k.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Depends on which car is going on said mission lol. If it’s the 2004 Camry I check everything on it because it’s nearing almost 300,000 last time we took it on a 50 mile trip and 50 miles back about 28 miles back going home we lost cylinder 1 and the check engine light began to flash. Probably damaged the catalytic converter because my dad refused to stop ended up being coil. The check engine light was flashing and we lost tons of power. We were also on a trip when the alternator failed both times luckily I had tools to replace it with. So that car mainly is the driveway queen when it comes to trips these days. If it’s moms car the 2017 Camry then I just always check the washer fluid because it gets used a lot and just look everything over including oil. If it’s my truck (the 1989) I don’t check anything cause I check it on a weekly basis and for being as old as it is I trust it would make it around the US without giving any issues just simply because I have not had any issues out of it. It is almost at 109,000. My Escape I probably wouldn’t check much on either but it’s leaking oil pretty good around the timing cover it’s just too cold to try to do right now so I’d probably driveway it for a trip too. And the rest of the cars well they won’t ever see a trip for awhile cause they don’t run lol 
. I slack on checking tire pressures but I’d probably do that as I always get bugged about it lol.
. I slack on checking tire pressures but I’d probably do that as I always get bugged about it lol.
1 - Tire Pressure.
2 - Check the spare tire pressure, I am bad on this regularly, I rarely check it except before big trips.
3 - Fresh oil and oil filter only if I'll go significantly over the mileage on the trip.
Usually an engine oil/filter change, air filter, fuel filter (if equipped), cabin air filter (if equipped), transmission fluid, check all other fluids (make sure nothing is leaking) and the brakes/tires. Will also check/adjust tire pressures and give it a thorough wash.
If it's a new car, then just an engine oil/filter change along with the air filter and check tire pressures, as well as give it a proper wash.
If it's a new car, then just an engine oil/filter change along with the air filter and check tire pressures, as well as give it a proper wash.
I top off all fluids and air up the tires. That’s about it.
How long a trip is "a long road trip?" For me, it would be about 1,000 miles (+/-) minimum. For a trip like that, I'd check the oil, coolant, washer fluid levels, take a peak at the brake and power steering fluids, and adjust the air pressure in the tires and spare. However, most all of that is done weekly anyway. Actually, for a longer trip I'd do the same things.
If I was coming up on an oil change, I might change it before taking off.
Ditto on this. Also, I'll add a fuel system cleaner to a tank of premium at the start of the trip.
Because I take care of my vehicles on a regular, look them over weekly and plan trips in advance, I like to believe that my vehicles can drive from NY to CA on a whim maybe with the exception of an OCI. But yes, I do look things over prior to our long trips.
Did the same with my 2016 Accent this Thanksgiving, 2400 miles round trip. I did check the tires because the bipolar weather here has been yoyoing the pressures. It got an oil change once I got to my destination cause I was doing the whole family's, might as well do mine too.
I love that I can take cross-country trips with this car and not have to worry about it breaking down, it's ultra reliable.
Ha. I wash my cars before a trip as well.Give it a fresh oil change, air up the tires, new air filter if needed and a good wash, hate driving in a dirty car, see so many filthy cars on the highway.
Scott
I had a tire valve just slightly not seat when I checked pressure right before a road trip. Lead to a flat tire underway. Do everything you do at least a week before the trip so the demons will shake out. And tug on the hood after it latches to be sure it "takes."
My car is always prepared for a road trip
