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What should you check before a longer drive or road trip?

A few simple checks before departure can help avoid a ruined trip, roadside waiting and unnecessary stress.

A longer trip exposes a car's weak points more quickly than an ordinary city drive. That is why a short but thoughtful pre-trip check can prevent simple issues from ruining the whole day.

Check tyre pressures and overall tyre condition. Verify the levels of oil, coolant and washer fluid, and make sure the wipers are working properly. If the brakes or suspension have felt questionable recently, do not leave that concern for the last minute.

It is also smart to think about practical items: is there a jack, wheel wrench, warning triangle and a charged phone in the car? A bit of preparation does not make the trip less fun, it simply gives you more confidence.

If you notice a small anomaly before leaving, either solve it immediately or at least record it in the service history. That way the observation does not disappear once the trip itself takes over your attention.