Pre-trip checks before a long drive: the practical list
In short
The day before you leave, spend about 20 minutes checking: engine oil and coolant levels, brake and washer fluid, cold tyre pressures on all wheels including the spare, brake pad thickness, the accessory belt and every light. The boot should contain your documents, a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest, a first aid kit, jump leads, a jack with the complete tool set and a litre of the oil your engine actually uses.
Do the checks the day before, not on departure morning
The timing matters more than it seems. Checks done on the morning of departure turn, at best, into a quick glance under the bonnet, and if you do find something, there is no time left to react. The day before gives you the margin to buy a bulb, inflate a tyre or book a workshop slot. There is a technical reason too. Many checks require a cold engine: the coolant level reads correctly only when cold, tyre pressures are measured cold, and the oil needs at least a few minutes of rest after shutdown. Park on level ground. A slope shifts the reading on the dipstick and in the expansion tank enough to mislead you. If a service is due within a few thousand kilometres and the planned trip covers that distance, have the work done before you leave rather than after.
The fluids, in order
Engine oil: check the dipstick with the engine cold or at least five minutes after shutdown. The level should sit close to the maximum mark before a long drive, because sustained high-speed running uses more oil than town driving. Coolant: cold, between MIN and MAX on the expansion tank. If it has dropped since the last check, find out why before you go — a slowly falling level is an early sign of a problem. Brake fluid: check the level in the reservoir and, if the tank allows, the colour. One detail many people misread: a slightly lower level is normal as the pads wear, because the pistons advance. A visibly low level with pads still in good shape indicates a leak. Brake fluid also absorbs moisture over time and has its own replacement interval. Washer fluid: fill the reservoir to the top. On a summer motorway run, insects consume an enormous amount. On cars with hydraulic power steering, check that reservoir too.
Tyres, including the spare
Pressures are measured cold, meaning before you have driven more than a couple of kilometres. The correct values are on the plate on the driver's door pillar, on the fuel filler flap or in the manual — not on the tyre sidewall, which states the tyre's maximum permissible pressure rather than the figure recommended for your car. A commonly overlooked detail: that same plate usually has a second column for a fully loaded car. If you are travelling five-up with a full boot, the rear pressures need raising to those values. An underinflated tyre under load overheats, and at speed that is the classic blowout scenario. Check tread depth, wear uniformity (wear on one edge points to misaligned geometry), sidewall cracks and any bulges — a sidewall bulge means the tyre is finished regardless of tread. The spare wheel is the most neglected part of any car. Check its pressure, and if you have a repair kit instead of a wheel, check the sealant's expiry date. Make sure you have the jack, the right wrench and, if applicable, the locking wheel nut key.
Brakes, belts and steering
Brakes: look through the wheel spokes at the thickness of the pad friction material. If little is left, replace before the trip, especially if the route involves hills. Check the pedal: it should feel firm rather than spongy, and it should not sink slowly under steady pressure. The car should not pull to one side under braking, and the steering wheel should not vibrate. A pronounced lip on the outer edge of the disc indicates advanced wear. A continuous metallic grinding noise when braking means the checks stop here and the car goes to a workshop. Accessory belt: with the engine off, look for transverse cracks, frayed edges or a glazed, shiny surface. A squeal on start-up, particularly in damp weather, points to a tired belt or tensioner. If the timing belt is approaching its replacement interval, a long trip is not the moment to postpone it further. Also check steering play, knocks from the suspension over bumps and any leaks at the dampers.
Lights, visibility and comfort
Check the lights with someone helping: dipped beam, main beam, side lights, front and rear indicators, brake lights (including the high-level one), reversing lights, fog lights and the number plate lamp. A spare bulb in the boot costs little and solves a problem on the road. If the car has a headlight levelling dial, adjust it for the load. A fully loaded car noses up and the headlights end up dazzling oncoming traffic. Wipers: if they streak on a clean windscreen, replace them before you go. A downpour on the open road with worn blades turns an ordinary journey into a dangerous one. Air conditioning matters on a drive of many hours: if it cools poorly, check the cabin filter, which also affects demisting. A filter changed before a holiday is immediately noticeable in air quality. Finally, check the horn, and if the car is not new, clean the inside of the glass — the film that builds up dramatically increases glare from low sun and oncoming headlights.
What to take with you
Mandatory on any trip: driving licence, registration document, insurance policy and, if you are crossing a border, the documents required at the exit; a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher where one is required. Useful and frequently trip-saving: jump leads or a portable booster, a tow rope, a torch, gloves, a sheet or blanket so you do not get filthy changing a wheel, a compact tyre inflator, a phone charger and a supply of water. Worth picking up from us: a litre of exactly the oil your engine uses, so any top-up on the road is the correct one, and five litres of ready-mixed coolant or demineralised water. The wrong oil bought in a hurry at a filling station beats nothing at all, but a litre of the right one in the boot is far better. If you are not sure which oil or coolant your car uses, call us on +373 22 009 350 with the VIN. Orders for Chișinău leave the same day, and the rest of the country receives them in 1–2 working days.
Need the part we wrote about?
The catalogue carries the right products, priced in MDL with delivery across Moldova. If you are unsure about fitment, call us and we will check it against your VIN.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I do these checks?
Ideally the day before, with a cold engine and on level ground. That way the readings are accurate and you have time to fix whatever you find without delaying departure.
Should I change tyre pressures when the car is fully loaded?
Yes. The plate on the door pillar usually gives separate values for full load, higher on the rear axle in particular. An underinflated tyre under load overheats at high speed.
The brake fluid level has dropped slightly. Is that serious?
A slow, small drop accompanies normal pad wear, because the caliper pistons advance. A noticeable drop with pads still thick points to a leak and should be checked before the trip.
What should I carry for top-ups on the road?
A litre of exactly the oil your engine uses, washer fluid and ready-mixed coolant or demineralised water. Topping up with the wrong product creates more problems in the long run than it solves.