The Car Safety Check Most People Skip Before a Long Drive

Most people remember gas before a long drive. Some check oil. But the additional checks that prevent many roadside problems are easier to skip: tire pressure, tread depth, lights, wipers, brake feel, and the spare tire you hope you never need.

Think of this as your car safety check before a long drive—not a full mechanical inspection. You are looking for signs that get worse at highway speed, in summer heat, or when visibility drops.

What should I check on my car before a long road trip? Start with tires, exterior lights, windshield wipers, brake feel, key fluids, and the emergency gear you would need if the car stopped on the shoulder.

NHTSA says a little planning before summer travel can help drivers avoid breakdown trouble. A useful pre-road trip car inspection does not require a lift or special tools.

Use this as a small vehicle safety inspection checklist:

• Tires
• Spare tire
• Lights
• Wipers
• Washer fluid
• Brake feel
• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Roadside supplies.

Tires deserve the first look because they are the only part of the car touching the road. AAA notes that tires affect handling, braking, ride, and safety.

Check tire pressure before you drive, when the tires are cold. Your correct pressure is on the driver-side door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall. NHTSA recommends checking all tires, including the spare, and using the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire pressure.

Do not rely only on the dashboard tire-pressure light. It is not a replacement for a quick gauge check. Also look for cracks, bulges, visible cord, or one tire that looks oddly worn. If the tire looks damaged, have a tire professional check it before the trip.

A tread depth gauge is the most accurate way to check tire tread, but the quarter test is a simple DIY car safety check you can do in the driveway.

Place a quarter into a main tread groove with Washington's head pointing down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you have at least 4/32 inch of tread in that spot. If you can see above his head, AAA says it is time to start shopping for new tires.

For the legal-minimum check, use a penny with Lincoln's head pointing down. And if you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tire needs replacement. Check several grooves because uneven wear can hide on the inside or outside edge.

Tire age matters, too. NHTSA says some manufacturers recommend replacing tires after 6 to 10 years, regardless of tread wear. The last four DOT digits show the week and year the tire was made.

The easiest answer to what to check on your car before driving is a slow walk around the vehicle.

Turn on the headlights, hazards, and turn signals, then check the front, rear, and sides. For brake lights, ask someone to look while you press the pedal, or back up near a garage door or wall so you can see the reflection.

A burned-out brake light or turn signal changes how well other drivers can read what you are about to do, especially in traffic, rain, or low light.

Next, check the windshield wipers. Replace any blade that streaks, skips, chatters, or leaves a smear in your line of sight.

Top off washer fluid, too. A dirty windshield can become a visibility problem when the sun is low or road grime hits the glass.

You are not trying to inspect the brake system yourself. You are checking for signs that the car needs service before the trip.

In a parking lot or driveway, press the brake pedal firmly. It should feel solid and familiar. A spongy pedal, pulsing pedal, pulling to one side, or longer stopping distance is a reason to have the brakes checked before a long drive.

Listen, too. A light squeal can be a brake wear indicator telling you the pads are getting low. Grinding usually means metal-on-metal contact, and that is a stop-driving-and-get-service problem, not something to test on the highway.

Check brake fluid and coolant while the car is parked on level ground and the engine is cool. Both should be within the marked range. Low brake fluid can point to worn brake parts or a leak, so do not treat it as a simple top-off unless you know why it is low.

Good car safety tips for road trips include what you carry, not just what you inspect.

If your battery is older, slow to crank, corroded at the terminals, or has needed a jump recently, have it tested before you leave.

Keep jumper cables or a jump starter pack in the car, along with a phone charger, backup battery, flashlight, reflective triangles or flares, first aid kit, water, snacks, and any medication your passengers may need.

SafeWise's personal safety resources can also help you think through what you want close by when traveling.

The best time to do this check is the day before departure. That gives you time to add air, replace wipers, buy washer fluid, swap a bulb, or call a mechanic.

You do not need to be your own mechanic before a road trip. You just need to catch the simple things that are easy to ignore until the car is loaded.

Tires, lights, wipers, brakes, and backup gear take about 15 minutes to check.