How to check your car before a long drive
Before a long drive, check your tyre tread and pressures, engine oil and coolant, screen wash, all your lights, the brakes and the wipers, and make sure you have enough fuel or charge. It takes about ten minutes and greatly reduces the chance of a breakdown. Pack a small emergency kit too.
A long journey puts more demand on your car than the daily commute ever does, and it is usually the last time you want to discover a problem. The reassuring part is that most breakdowns start with something you could have spotted in the driveway. Spending around ten minutes on a few simple checks before you leave is one of the best habits a driver can have.
Start with the tyres
Your tyres are the only parts of the car touching the road, so they come first. Check the tread depth across each tyre. The UK legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, and driving below it risks a fine and penalty points. For a long or wet motorway drive, though, the legal minimum is not the same as a safe margin. Many tyre and safety experts recommend replacing tyres at around 3mm, because wet braking distances lengthen sharply once tread drops below that. A quick 20p test tells you where you stand: push a 20p coin into the main grooves, and if the coin’s outer band is hidden your tread is likely above the legal limit.
Next, set the correct pressures with the tyres cold. A car loaded with passengers and luggage usually needs higher pressures than for everyday driving, and the right laden figures are on the sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in your handbook. While you are there, look over each tyre for cuts, bulges or embedded nails, and do not forget the spare if you carry one.
Check the fluids
Two fluids matter most before a long run: engine oil and coolant. Check both with the engine cold and the car on level ground. For the oil, pull the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it fully, then remove it again and make sure the film sits between the minimum and maximum marks. If you are not sure how, our step-by-step guide on how to check your engine oil walks you through it.
For the coolant, look at the expansion tank and check the level sits between its marks. Never open a coolant cap on a warm engine, as pressurised hot coolant can scald. Finally, top up the screen wash. It sounds trivial, but on a motorway in spray or with low winter sun, a clean windscreen is a genuine safety item, and running out of screen wash is a common MOT advisory too.
Lights, brakes and wipers
Walk around the car and test every light in turn: headlights on dip and full beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and number plate lights. Ask someone to help, or use a reflection in a window or garage door to check the brake lights. A blown bulb is cheap and quick to replace at home, and far better caught now than by another driver on the motorway.
Give the brakes a gentle test as you pull away. They should feel firm and stop the car smoothly and in a straight line. Grinding, squealing, a spongy pedal or a pull to one side all mean you should have them checked before you travel, not after. Brakes are safety-critical, so leave any doubt to a professional. Then check the wiper blades clear the screen cleanly without smearing or juddering, and replace them if they leave streaks.
Fuel, charge and the route
Make sure you have plenty of fuel, or for an electric car, enough charge and a plan for where you will top up along the way. It is worth knowing your charging stops before you set off rather than hunting for one with the range warning showing. Check the dashboard as you start up, too: if any warning light stays on, deal with it before you leave. Our guide to dashboard warning lights explains what each colour means and how urgent it is.
Your pre-drive checklist
- Tyres: tread above the legal minimum, correct laden pressures, no damage.
- Oil and coolant: both between the marks, checked cold.
- Screen wash: topped up.
- Lights: every bulb and indicator working.
- Brakes: firm, quiet and pulling up straight.
- Wipers: clearing the screen cleanly.
- Fuel or charge: enough for the journey, with stops planned.
Pack an emergency kit
Even a well-prepared car can meet the unexpected, so a small kit in the boot is well worth the space. A sensible basic kit includes a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest, a torch, a phone charger or power bank, a first aid kit, jump leads, some water and snacks, and a blanket. If you are travelling in winter, add a scraper, de-icer and warm layers. Our winter car checks guide covers cold-weather preparation in more detail.
| Kit item | Why it earns its place |
|---|---|
| Warning triangle and hi-vis vest | Keeps you visible and safer if you have to stop on the roadside. |
| Torch and phone power bank | Lets you see and stay contactable if you break down after dark. |
| Jump leads | A flat 12 volt battery is one of the most common causes of a no-start. |
| Water, snacks and a blanket | Keeps you comfortable during a long wait for recovery. |
| Scraper, de-icer and warm layers | Winter essentials for cold, dark and icy journeys. |
None of this needs to be expensive or bulky. A single boot bag holding these items means you are ready for the common problems without a second thought, and it stays in the car all year so you never have to remember to pack it.
Run through these checks the evening before or the morning you leave, and you will set off with real confidence. If anything looks worn or you are simply due a service before a big trip, it is far better to sort it in advance, and you can compare trusted local garages and book in within minutes.
Key takeaways
- Ten minutes of checks before you set off can prevent a roadside breakdown.
- The UK legal minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm, but 3mm is a safer target for long, wet drives.
- Check oil and coolant when the engine is cold, and top up screen wash before you go.
- Test every light and both wipers, as a blown bulb or smeary blade is easy to fix at home.
- Keep a simple emergency kit in the boot, including a warning triangle, hi-vis vest and phone charger.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before a long drive?
Run through the basics: tyre tread and pressures, engine oil and coolant levels, screen wash, all lights and indicators, the brakes, the wipers, and that you have enough fuel or charge. These are quick to check and catch the faults most likely to cause a breakdown or a fail.
What tyre tread do I need for a long journey?
The UK legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but many safety experts recommend replacing tyres at around 3mm because wet braking distances grow sharply below that. Before a long or wet drive, aim for well above the legal minimum and set the correct pressures for a full load.
How do I check my oil before a trip?
Park on level ground with the engine cold, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove it again and check the film of oil sits between the minimum and maximum marks. Top up with the correct grade if it is low. Our engine oil guide explains it step by step.
What should be in a car emergency kit?
A useful basic kit includes a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest, a torch, a phone charger or power bank, a first aid kit, jump leads, some water and snacks, and a blanket. In winter add a scraper, de-icer and warm layers. Keep it in the boot so it is always there when you need it.
Should I check tyre pressures with a full car?
Yes. A car loaded with passengers and luggage often needs higher tyre pressures than for everyday driving. Check the sticker inside the driver’s door frame or your handbook for the correct laden pressure, and set it before you set off with the tyres cold.