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How to prepare your car for a road trip
Road trip car maintenance is especially important if you are travelling in hot weather, towing, carrying passengers or driving for long periods. A small issue, such as low coolant, worn tyres, or a weak battery, can quickly lead to a breakdown once the vehicle is under extra load.
Use this road trip car checklist to prepare your vehicle before you go, reduce the risk of overheating and help make the drive safer and more comfortable.
Your road trip car checklist
Before a long drive, check the essentials that keep your vehicle running, cooling, and stopping safely. Ideally, start your checks at least a week before your trip so there is time to fix any issues.
| Area to check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Fluids | Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid and windscreen washer fluid |
| Cooling system | Coolant level, hoses, radiator condition and temperature gauge behaviour |
| Battery | Slow starting, dim lights or an old battery |
| Tyres | Tread depth, even wear, air pressure and spare tyre condition |
| Lights and signals | Headlights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights and horn |
| Wipers | Wiper blade condition and washer fluid |
| Emergency kit | Torch, first aid kit, jumper cables, basic tools and roadside supplies |
| Air conditioning | Cooling performance before travelling in warm weather |
If you are short on time or unsure what to check, book a professional car inspection before a long drive.
Check under the bonnet
Under-bonnet checks can help prevent breakdowns before they happen. Park the vehicle on level ground and allow the engine to idle for a few minutes after switching it off to ensure more accurate fluid readings.
Check the following before you leave:
- Engine oil level and colour
- Coolant level in the overflow bottle
- Brake fluid level
- Power steering fluid level
- Transmission fluid, where applicable
- Windscreen washer fluid
- Belts for cracks, looseness or wear
- Hoses for cracks, swelling or leaks
- Air filter for dust build-up
- Battery condition and terminals
Look after your engine cooling system
Your engine cooling system works hard during a long drive, especially in hot weather, in traffic, on hilly roads, or when the vehicle is carrying extra weight. Low coolant can cause the engine to overheat, which may lead to severe engine damage and costly repairs.
Cooling system checks are an important part of road trip car maintenance because they keep your engine within a safe operating temperature. If your temperature gauge starts rising, take it seriously.
Signs your cooling system needs attention include:
- The temperature gauge climbing higher than usual
- Coolant warning light
- Steam from under the bonnet
- Coolant leaks under the car
- Sweet or chemical smell after driving
- Heater or air conditioning performance changes
- Needing to top up coolant regularly
How to check your coolant properly
Checking your coolant before driving is simple, but it needs to be done safely.
Follow these steps:
- Park on level ground.
- Make sure the engine is cool.
- Find the coolant overflow tank.
- Check that the coolant level sits between the ‘low’ and ‘full’ marks.
- Top up only if needed, using the correct coolant for your vehicle.
- Check hoses for cracks, leaks or swelling.
- Book an inspection if the coolant is significantly low.
Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Cooling systems are pressurised, and hot coolant or steam can escape quickly, potentially causing burns.
How to keep your vehicle cool in tough conditions
Keeping your vehicle cool in hot weather is not only about topping up coolant. The car radiator and cooling system must be able to handle the way you drive and the conditions you drive in.
One problem with original equipment radiators is that they are designed for ‘average’ driving conditions and roads. In Australia, with our wide range of road surfaces, extreme weather, and varying loads, it’s not difficult to find yourself driving in conditions that exceed what vehicle designers expected to be ‘average’.
If your vehicle is used for towing, off-road driving, long hauls or heavy loads, a standard radiator may not always be suitable. Talk to the team at Natrad for advice on heavy-duty cooling systems.
Is your radiator sending you warning signals?
A radiator warning sign before a road trip should not be ignored. Cooling system problems can worsen quickly when the car is travelling long distances or operating in hot conditions.
Ask yourself:
- Does the temperature gauge rise into the red on hot days?
- Do you often need to top up the radiator or coolant?
- Are you towing heavy loads?
- Are you travelling for long periods?
- Are you using low-quality radiator and coolant products?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions, then it’s time to nip into Natrad for a cooling system inspection. Our specialists will diagnose any issues with your cooling system and propose the appropriate solution.
Check outside the vehicle
Your car’s exterior checks are just as important as what is under the bonnet. Tyres, lights and wipers all affect safety on a long trip.
Before leaving, check:
- Tyre tread depth
- Tyre pressure, including the spare
- Uneven tyre wear
- Cracks, bulges or damage in tyre sidewalls
- Headlights and high beams
- Brake lights and reverse lights
- Indicators and hazard lights
- Horn operation
- Wiper blade condition
Use the tyre pressure listed in your owner’s manual or on the sticker inside the car door. Remember to check the spare tyre as well, not just the tyres already fitted to the car.
Inside the vehicle: safety and comfort checks
Interior checks help make the trip safer and more comfortable for everyone in the car.
Before you go, make sure you have:
- A complete emergency roadside kit
- Owner’s manual
- Roadside assistance membership details
- Phone charger
- Water and non-perishable snacks
- Blanket or jacket
- First aid kit
- Torch with fresh batteries
- Jumper cables
- Basic tool kit
- Reflective warning triangle
- Coolant and engine oil for top-ups
- Clean rags and a funnel
It’s also best to test your air conditioning before you leave. A faulty air conditioner can make summer driving uncomfortable, especially on long stretches of road.
Looking to stock up before you go away?
The right road trip car accessories can help you prepare for flat batteries, poor visibility and roadside issues. You do not need to carry a full workshop in the boot, but a few practical tools can make a big difference if something unexpected happens.
| Accessory | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Portable jump starter | Helps restart a flat battery without another vehicle |
| Battery charger | Helps maintain or recharge batteries before travel |
| Inspection light | Makes it easier to see under the bonnet or around the vehicle |
| Torch | Useful for night-time stops or emergencies |
| Jumper cables | Backup option for battery issues |
| Basic tools | Helpful for minor roadside checks |
| Tyre sealant | Temporary support for some minor punctures |
Natrad stocks automotive accessories, including NOCO electrical products and SCANGRIP workshop lighting, which are handy additions for any road trip.
NOCO battery boosters and chargers
A portable jump starter for a road trip can be useful if your battery dies while you’re away from home. NOCO battery boosters and chargers are designed to help start or charge batteries quickly and safely.
NOCO products can include features such as:
- Portable design
- 12V and 24V charging options on some models
- Smart charging operation
- Battery monitoring
- Overcharge prevention
- Diagnostics for damaged batteries
- Support for deeply discharged batteries
NOCO’s range includes chargers, jump starters, solar panels, portable power devices and accessories for automotive, marine and industrial use.
SCANGRIP inspection lights
Originating in Denmark, SCANGRIP has designed a wide selection of work lights for ergonomic use and durability. The lights are versatile and can be used in several environments, not just a workshop. A large number are compact, portable, and foldable, allowing for easy storage.
Grab yourself some nifty lights for camping nights and ensure you have excellent visibility wherever you need it. Ideal for camping or road trips, these lights fit easily into small spaces and deliver vibrant light for hours at a time.
Be confident that your car is ready for a long trip
A road trip should be enjoyable, not interrupted by overheating, flat batteries, worn tyres or avoidable breakdowns. Taking the time to complete a car checkup before a road trip can help you leave with more confidence.
For extra peace of mind, visit your local Natrad workshop for a pre-trip vehicle check, cooling system inspection, replacement parts or road trip accessories before your next long drive.
