How often should I check tyre pressures?

At least monthly and before any long journey, always when the tyres are cold, using the laden figure if the car is fully loaded.

What should I check under the bonnet?

Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screenwash levels, plus a quick look at the auxiliary belt and hoses for damage or leaks.

Does a roof box affect the car much?

Yes. It raises the centre of gravity, increases crosswind sensitivity and reduces fuel economy noticeably, so check the fixings again after the first hour.

Should I service the car before a long trip?

If a service is due within the next few weeks, doing it beforehand is usually cheaper and far less disruptive than dealing with a failure away from home.

What is the most commonly forgotten check?

The spare wheel, along with the jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key. Plenty of drivers discover the spare is flat only when they need it.

Pre-Journey Car Checks: Avoid a Breakdown Before You Go

Tyres, including the spare

Set pressures cold using the figures on the door pillar or filler flap, remembering that a fully loaded car on a long trip usually needs the higher laden figure rather than the everyday one. Check tread depth across the full width of each tyre, because uneven wear points at alignment or suspension problems that get worse at motorway speed. Look for cuts, bulges and embedded objects in the sidewalls and tread. Then check the spare, which is the single most commonly neglected item on any car, along with the jack, the wheel brace and the locking wheel nut key.

Under the bonnet

With the engine cold and the car level, check engine oil on the dipstick and top up to between the marks if needed, using the correct grade. Check coolant in the expansion tank, brake fluid against the minimum line, and screenwash, which you will use far more of than you expect on a motorway in spray. Glance at the auxiliary belt for cracks or fraying, and at hoses for bulges, chafing or damp patches. Any fluid that is persistently low is leaking somewhere, and a long journey is not the time to find out where.

Lights, wipers and visibility

Walk round with the ignition on and check side lights, dipped and main beam, indicators, brake lights, reversing lights and fog lights, ideally with someone pressing the brake pedal. Clean all glass inside and out, because a hazy windscreen becomes blinding when driving into low sun. Replace wiper blades that smear or leave lines, and check the washer jets actually aim at the screen. Adjust mirrors properly with the load you are carrying, since a full boot changes rear visibility.

Brakes, steering and suspension

Before you set off, the brake pedal should feel firm rather than spongy, and the car should stop straight without pulling. Listen for grinding or a metallic scrape, which means pads at the end of their life. A steering wheel that vibrates at speed, a car that wanders, or knocking over bumps all deserve attention before a long trip rather than after. If the car is due a service in the next few weeks, having it done before a long journey is usually cheaper than dealing with the consequences on the road.

Loading the car properly

Heavy items go low and as far forward as possible in the boot, not stacked above the seat backs where they become projectiles in a sudden stop. Do not exceed the vehicle's maximum load, which is on the VIN plate, and remember that a full car of adults and luggage changes braking distances and handling noticeably. Roof boxes and bikes raise the centre of gravity, increase crosswind sensitivity and cut fuel economy substantially, and they need checking again after the first hour. Keep the boot floor accessible if the spare wheel lives underneath it.

Planning and paperwork

Check that the MOT, tax and insurance are all valid, particularly if the trip crosses a renewal date. Plan realistic breaks, ideally every two hours, because tiredness causes more incidents on long drives than mechanical failure. Look at the route for known congestion, roadworks and clean air zone charges, and have an alternative in mind. On an electric vehicle, plan charging stops and check that the chargers you intend to use are live, with a backup option, since a single broken rapid charger can derail a journey.

What to carry

A torch, a high visibility vest for each occupant, a warning triangle for use off motorways, a phone power bank and a charging cable, water, and a basic first aid kit cover most situations. Add jump leads or a jump pack, a tyre inflator or sealant kit if you have no spare, and gloves. Keep your breakdown provider's number and your policy details somewhere you can reach without a signal, and note the vehicle's registration and your location sharing method so you can describe exactly where you are if the worst happens.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check tyre pressures?: At least monthly and before any long journey, always when the tyres are cold, using the laden figure if the car is fully loaded.
What should I check under the bonnet?: Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screenwash levels, plus a quick look at the auxiliary belt and hoses for damage or leaks.
Does a roof box affect the car much?: Yes. It raises the centre of gravity, increases crosswind sensitivity and reduces fuel economy noticeably, so check the fixings again after the first hour.
Should I service the car before a long trip?: If a service is due within the next few weeks, doing it beforehand is usually cheaper and far less disruptive than dealing with a failure away from home.
What is the most commonly forgotten check?: The spare wheel, along with the jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key. Plenty of drivers discover the spare is flat only when they need it.

Need help now? We are based in Oldbury and dispatch 24/7 across the West Midlands.

Call 07402 666 687

Vehicle checks before a long journey