Tire pressure
Measure on cold tires, before driving or after the car has sat for a while. Use the full-load values if the manufacturer lists them, and don't forget the spare.
Preparation
Maintenance: how to get the car ready for a long drive
You don't need to take the car apart before a long trip. It's enough to calmly go through a few simple points and spot in time anything that needs a professional. The main rule: plan anything beyond a basic check well ahead, not on the last evening.
The best time for a pre-trip shop visit is a week before you leave: that leaves room if parts or a second visit are needed.
We don't give exact service intervals, specs or brands of fluids and parts: they're specific to each car and listed in its owner's manual. This covers only checks that need no tools or repair skills.
What you can check yourself
Six checks you can do in half an hour with the car parked.
Tread and sidewalls
Walk around each tire: look for bulges, cuts, embedded screws and uneven wear. If anything looks off, have a tire shop check the wheel before you go.
Fluid levels
Engine oil, coolant and brake fluid are checked against the marks on the dipstick and reservoirs. Never open the coolant reservoir on a hot engine; wait until it cools down.
Lights
Walk around the car with the headlights, turn signals and hazard lights on, and check the brake lights with a helper or by their reflection in a shop window.
Wipers and washer fluid
The wiper blades shouldn't leave streaks, and it's best to fill the washer reservoir to the top and keep a spare bottle in the trunk: on a long drive the windshield gets dirty faster than you'd think.
Spare and tools
Make sure the spare tire or repair kit is there, and that the jack and lug wrench are in the trunk where you can reach them without unloading everything.
Getting ready: the order of things
A week ahead: decide if you need a shop
Think about whether scheduled service is coming due and whether there have been strange noises or warning lights. If in doubt, book an inspection in advance.
A few days ahead: tires and wipers
Inspect the tires, replace the wiper blades if needed and buy washer fluid for the season. That leaves you time if a tire shop visit turns out to be necessary.
The day before: fluids and lights
Check the fluids and lights, and clean the headlights, windows and mirrors. Set the tire pressure for the load the car will be carrying.
The day before: loading
Pack so that the spare, tools, warning triangle and first-aid kit stay within reach and the luggage doesn't block your view.
In the morning: a quick walk-around
Before you set off, walk around the car and look for fresh spots underneath or a tire that lost air overnight. It takes a minute and can sometimes save the whole day.
What's better left to a shop
Brakes, suspension, steering, belts and hoses under the hood, wiring and the battery are for a mechanic to assess. The owner just needs to notice the signs, such as squealing, knocking, pulling to one side or leaks, and describe them.
Before a long trip it makes sense to ask the shop for a general inspection: many faults that go unnoticed for months in town can surface at the worst possible moment on a drive that lasts many hours.
Read next
- The car
Tires, brakes, lights, cooling, A/C and driver-assist systems: which parts of the car work hardest on a drive that lasts many hours.
- Faults
Overheating, a flat tire, a dead battery and warning lights on a long drive: the signs that tell you it's not safe to keep going.
- Road-trip car
Choosing a road-trip car by what you need, not by make: cargo space, fuel use and range, seat comfort, ground clearance and what to carry along.
Sources
- Russian traffic rules (official text)
- Your car's owner's manual (in general terms)
- Road safety materials (in general terms)
The Russian traffic rules are summarized from the official text in force when this page was prepared, and rules change from time to time. Cars differ too, so before a trip check the current version of the rules and your own car's owner's manual.