Car Checks Before a Long Journey or Holiday
Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent
The most important car checks before a long journey are tyres (pressure, tread and damage), engine oil, coolant, screenwash, lights and wipers. Do them a few days before you leave, with the engine cold, so you have time to sort anything you find. The RAC says simple checks like these take about five minutes, and you only need a tyre gauge.
Tyres: pressure, tread and the spare
Tyres are the check that matters most, especially with a loaded car.
Pressure. The Highway Code says tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer’s figure for the load being carried. A car full of luggage and passengers often needs a higher pressure than normal. You will find the figures in your handbook. Check them when the tyres are cold, before you drive.
Tread. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. The Met Office’s travel advice warns that you risk a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. The RAC suggests 3mm of tread is advisable in winter.
Damage. Look for cuts, splits and bulges in the sidewalls. If you find any of these, get the tyre checked before you set off.
The spare. Check the spare wheel’s pressure and tread too. Make sure you know where the jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key are. If your car has a tyre repair kit instead of a spare, check it is there.
Under the bonnet: oil, coolant and screenwash
Park on level ground and let the engine cool before you open anything.
Engine oil. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it, push it back and check again. The level should sit between the minimum and maximum marks. Top up with the oil your handbook specifies.
Coolant. Check the level in the expansion tank with the engine cold. Never open the cap on a hot engine. If the level keeps dropping, get it looked at before a long trip.
Brake fluid. Check it is between the marks. The Highway Code warns that low brake fluid can lead to brake failure.
Screenwash. Top it up with proper screenwash, not just water. On a motorway you can use a lot of it.
If the oil or coolant level is dropping between checks, the car has a leak or is using fluid. That is worth getting checked before you go, not after.
Need a service or brakes doing?
Servicing, pads, discs and fluids done on your driveway across East Kent.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
Lights, wipers and warning lights
Ask someone to walk round the car while you work the lights. Check headlights (dipped and main beam), sidelights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights and number plate lights. The Highway Code says lights must be kept clean and properly adjusted, which matters more when the car is heavily loaded.
Look at the wiper blades for splits and cracks, and check the washer jets are clear and aimed at the screen.
The Met Office also suggests making sure all the dashboard warning lights work. If a warning light stays on, check the handbook before you set off.
Signs your car needs attention before the trip
Some faults should be sorted before any long drive. Get the car checked first if you notice:
A warning light that stays on, especially oil pressure, temperature or brakes.
Grinding or squealing when braking, or the car pulling to one side. See our guide to brake pad warning signs.
The temperature gauge climbing higher than usual.
The engine struggling to start. The RAC says a battery over four years old may be near the end of its life.
A service that is due or overdue. Our car service checklist explains what a service covers.
If a brake, oil pressure or overheating warning comes on during the journey, stop somewhere safe and do not carry on driving.
Planning the drive itself
A healthy car is only half of it. The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. It also advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6am, when natural alertness is at its lowest.
A few other things worth doing:
Fuel. Work out where you can fill up along the route.
Luggage. Stow it securely so nothing can move under braking.
Spare keys. Keep a spare set somewhere safe, not in the car.
Driving abroad. Check that your lights meet the rules of each country you will drive through.
If you are travelling in the colder months, our winter car checklist covers the extra checks.
How we can help
If you would rather have a mechanic look the car over before you go, we can come to you. We do servicing, pre-MOT checks, brakes, filters and fault finding at your home or workplace. For anything outside that, such as a battery or tyre problem, we can come out, diagnose the cause and tell you what it needs.
We cover Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Folkestone and the surrounding villages. Labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job. Parts are extra, and we agree the price with you on WhatsApp before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How long before a long journey should I check my car?
A few days before is ideal. That leaves time to get a part or book a repair if you find a problem.
Should I increase my tyre pressure for a long journey?
Only if the car is loaded. Use the handbook’s figure for the load you are carrying, and check the tyres cold.
What is the legal tread depth in the UK?
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread. You risk a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per illegal tyre.
Do I need a service before a holiday?
Not always, but if a service is due within the next few weeks, it makes sense to have it done before you go.
Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.
Areas we cover: based in Aylesham, we come to you in Canterbury, Dover, Deal and Walmer, Sandwich and Ash, Folkestone, Wingham, Bridge and Barham, Shepherdswell, and Adisham. See all areas.
Need a service or brakes doing?
Message us on WhatsApp with your reg and postcode for a price before any work starts.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
