Checklist before a long drive

A trip to the Blue Mountains, South Coast or Hunter asks more of a car than a short local run. Higher speeds, a full load and long climbs can expose a weak battery, low fluid or damaged tyre.

Start one week before you leave

• Check the engine oil on level ground with the engine off and cooled. Follow the dipstick or dash procedure in the owner’s manual.
• Check coolant only when the engine is fully cold. The level should sit within the marked range on the expansion tank.
• Fill the washer bottle and test the washers. Replace wipers that streak, chatter or leave broad unwiped areas.
• Check every tyre cold against the tyre placard, usually on the driver’s door frame. Include the spare.
• Inspect tread, sidewalls and valves. NSW requires at least 1.5 mm of tread across the part that touches the road.
• Test headlights, high beam, indicators, brake lights, tail lights, reversing lights and number-plate lights.
• Run the air conditioning long enough to confirm that it cools the cabin before a hot drive.
• Listen for slow cranking and watch for battery or charging warnings. Heat can shorten battery life.

If the oil is old, the battery is weak or the logbook service interval is close, book it before the trip. A week allows time for a tyre or battery, cooling-system repair, air-conditioning check or other work without a last-minute rush.

The night before

• Walk around the car and look for a low tyre, new fluid leak or damaged light.
• Set mirrors, clean the windscreen inside and out, and remove loose objects from the cabin.
• Load heavy items low and secure them so they cannot move under braking.
• Confirm your route, fuel stops and roadside assistance details.
• Check that the driver is rested and that planned breaks suit the distance.

Pack in the car

• A checked spare tyre, the correct jack and the wheel tools for your car.
• Drinking water, a phone charger, first aid kit and torch.
• Your roadside assistance number and any locking wheel-nut key.
• Medication and weather-appropriate clothing for the route.

Do not assume the jack is present because the spare is in the boot. Find the lifting points in the owner’s manual and make sure the tools fit before you need them beside the road.

Towing a trailer or caravan

Connect the trailer or caravan and test every light with another person watching. Check the coupling is fully engaged, the safety chains are attached correctly and the electrical plug is secure. Inspect the trailer tyres, including the spare, for pressure, tread, cracking and damage.

Use the tyre pressures specified for the load in the placard or owner’s manual. Stay within the car, towbar and trailer limits. If braking, steering or suspension already feels different, arrange a brake, steering and suspension check before towing. Check that the registration on the car and the trailer runs past the end of the trip. Our pink slips page explains NSW light-vehicle inspections.

If a warning light appears away from home

Reduce speed, avoid hard acceleration and find a safe place to stop. Read the owner’s manual before deciding to continue. An oil-pressure, temperature, brake or charging warning means stop the engine and seek help. A flashing check-engine light also means stop driving hard and call for advice.

A steady check-engine, ABS or tyre-pressure warning needs prompt attention even if the car feels normal. Check for an obviously low tyre, but do not crawl under the car or open a hot coolant cap. Note the light, any message, the temperature gauge and what the car was doing. That information helps with later diagnostic testing or an electrical check.

Book a pre-trip check early

If you want the car inspected, book the pre-trip check about a week ahead. Tell us the departure date, expected distance, number of passengers, load and whether you are towing. We can check the fluids, tyres, lights, battery, brakes and visible cooling-system condition, then explain anything that needs attention. We will always call you before we do any work.

Harold Park Repairs is at 208 Parramatta Road, Annandale, with entry via Mathieson Street. Any make or model is fine, from a small hatch to a loaded ute or van. See find us for workshop details. For regular checks, use our car care guide. For less obvious service items, read maintenance you might not know about.

Questions about preparing for a long drive

When should I start checking the car?

Start about a week before you leave. That gives you time to repair a puncture, replace worn wipers, test a weak battery or book a service without rushing the day before.

Should tyre pressures change for a full load?

Use the loaded-vehicle figure on the tyre placard or in the owner's manual if one is provided. Check the tyres cold, and include the spare and any trailer or caravan tyres.

What if a warning light comes on during the trip?

Reduce speed, find a safe place to stop and read the owner's manual. Stop the engine for an oil-pressure, temperature, brake or charging warning, or for a flashing check-engine light.

Do I need a service before every long drive?

Not if the car is up to date and the checks are sound. Consider a service when the logbook interval is close, the oil is old, the battery is weak or the car has developed a warning, leak, noise or vibration.