What to Check Before a Long-Distance Car Trip?

[OBrady]

Before embarking on a long-distance car trip, the following items should be checked: 1. Oil and fluid inspection. Oils include engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and fuel. Fluids include coolant and windshield washer fluid. Check if the coolant is low and if there are any leaks. If leaks are found, repair them promptly; if not, top up to the marked level. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir to full. 2. Brake pads and tire inspection. Check the thickness of the front and rear brake pads to see if they need replacement. For tires, first inspect the appearance of all four tires for cracks, scratches, bulges, or punctures. Then check if the tire pressure is adequate. For vehicles without a tire pressure monitoring system, it's best to drive to a tire service point to check the pressure and address any deficiencies. 3. Light inspection. This includes both front and rear lights. 4. Chassis inspection. Check for loose or noisy suspension components, such as control arms and ball joints, and ensure there are no safety issues like loose steering linkage. 5. On-board tool inspection. On-board tools include a warning triangle, fire extinguisher, and tire wrench. A warning triangle and fire extinguisher not only serve critical functions in emergencies but also help avoid penalties during routine traffic police checks. Ensure the fire extinguisher is within its validity period.