3 Things to Check Before a Road Trip (Parent-Approved Checklist)

Planning a family road trip? Maybe your teen is taking their first solo drive to a tournament or a weekend getaway. No matter who's behind the wheel, the truth is that the success of your trip starts in your driveway.

A scenic drive can quickly become a stress-filled detour if your car isn’t road-ready. You don’t need to be a certified mechanic to give your car a solid once-over—just a little know-how, some basic tools, and this checklist.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the three most important things to check before a road trip: your oil, your tires, and your battery. These aren’t just good practices. They’re habits that build confidence, prevent breakdowns, and keep everyone safe.

1. Get Your Oil Checked or Changed

Why it matters

If you’re anywhere near needing an oil change, just go and get it done. Think of motor oil as your car’s lifeblood. It lubricates moving parts, keeps the engine from overheating, and prevents wear and tear over thousands of miles. If you’re hitting the road for more than a couple hours, especially in summer heat or cold winter air, you want to make sure your oil is in top shape.

Running your car on old, dirty, or low oil can cause serious engine damage—and engine replacements are expensive, even for older cars.

What to check

Start by pulling out your dipstick and inspecting the level and condition:

• Color: Clean oil is amber or golden. If it’s black and gritty, it’s time to change it.

• Level: It should be near the top indicator on the dipstick. If it’s low, top it off.

• Timing: If it’s been 3,000–5,000 miles (or more) since your last change, now’s the time.

Pro tip for parents

Even if your teen isn’t ready to change oil on their own, walking through how to pull and read the dipstick is a great driveway lesson.

Quick checklist:

• Check oil level with dipstick

• Look for any dashboard oil light

• Schedule an oil change if needed

2. Check Your Tire Pressure (And Tread)

Why it matters

Tires are where the road meets the rubber—literally. And they’re one of the most common points of failure on a road trip. Under-inflated tires can overheat on long drives. Worn tread reduces your ability to stop or grip in rain. And a blowout at 75 mph? That’s no bueno.

Tire health is about more than just preventing flats. It impacts fuel economy, steering, braking, and ride comfort.

What to check

• Tire pressure: Use a digital or analog tire gauge. Compare to the PSI listed on the sticker inside the driver’s door. Check when tires are cold.

• Tread depth: Use the penny test. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see all of his head, it’s time for new tires.

• Uneven wear: Check for bald spots, bulges, or wires showing.

• Spare tire: Don’t forget to check the pressure in your spare!

Many parents forget this step until the tire warning light comes on at 3 AM in the middle of nowhere. Don’t be that parent.

Pro tip for parents

This is a perfect skill to teach a teen. Make it a habit to check tire pressure every month or before long drives. Invest in a small portable tire inflator—they plug into your car and make on-the-road refills easy.

Quick checklist:

• Use a tire gauge to check PSI (front and back)

• Add air if under-inflated

• Inspect tread using the penny test

• Look for bulges or cracks

• Confirm spare tire is usable

3. Test Your Battery (Before It Tests You)

Why it matters

Your car’s battery doesn’t just start the engine—it powers critical systems like lights, GPS, A/C, and charging ports. If your battery is weak, your trip might not even start. Hot and cold weather can strain batteries, and longer drives with heavy accessory use (think phones, games, air conditioning) can drain them even faster.

Plus, the alternator relies on the battery to function properly. If your battery dies while driving, your car might continue for a bit—until you lose power steering, lights, and eventually stall.

What to check

• Visual check: Look for corrosion around the terminals. Use a wire brush to clean if needed.

• Age: Most batteries last 3–5 years. If yours is older, have it tested. Most part supply stores will do this for free.

Pro tip for parents

Put a portable jump starter in the trunk. The one we recommend is a jump starter and air pressure combo.

Quick checklist:

• Check for terminal corrosion

• Confirm battery age (look for sticker)

• Pack a portable jump starter

Bonus: Double Check These Before You Go

These don’t take much time, but they can make a huge difference.

Fluids

• Coolant: Keeps your engine from overheating

• Brake fluid: Low brake fluid = reduced stopping power

• Washer fluid: Don’t run out during bug season.

Lights

• Grab a buddy if you can to operate the lights. Walk around your car and check:

  • Headlights (both)

  • Brake lights

  • Turn signals

  • Hazard lights

Emergency Kit

Make sure your emergency supplies are topped up. See our car safety kit for priority supplies.

Why These Three Checks Matter More Than Ever

Road trips are a family tradition for a reason. They’re a chance to make memories, see new places, and disconnect from the daily grind. But nothing kills the mood faster than sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

The truth is: most road trip breakdowns are preventable.

A little prep means a lot of peace of mind. Especially if you’re sending a teen off in a car you’ve already seen them leave the lights on in. Or you’ve watched them “forget” to get an oil change three months in a row. (We’ve all been there.)

These three checks—oil, tires, and battery—cover the most common mechanical failures. You don’t need to know every inch under the hood. You just need to catch the obvious stuff before it turns into a bigger issue.

Want to Go Further?

At AskAMechanic.org, we believe confident drivers start at home. That’s why we help families teach car basics, so you can support your family. Everyone can build automotive intelligence.

If you want to build car smarts in your family one step at a time. You’ve got this!