#Lifestyle
10 things you shouldn’t forget before a long road trip
TL;DR: Before a long road trip, reduce the chance of unexpected car issues by running a diagnostic scan, checking tires, fluids, lights, battery, belts, hoses, and leaks a few days before you leave. OBDeleven 3 can help you spot fault codes, monitor changes with Car alerts, set Maintenance reminders, customize supported comfort features, and track trip/fuel data – but the best preparation combines diagnostics with simple physical checks.
When you’re 15 hours into a drive, the last thing you want is an unexpected car issue popping up in the middle of nowhere.
Some problems, like a blown tire, can still happen without warning. But good preparation can reduce the risk of more common, avoidable issues.
In this guide, we’ll cover some practical things you can do and tools you can use before a long road trip to help make sure your vehicle is ready for the miles – or kilometers – ahead.
Common issues drivers face on long road trips
Long drives put more stress on your car than daily commutes for obvious reasons: there’s more wear and pressure on components. Add in the hot weather and heavy luggage, and your car is working overtime.
Common road trip problems that people encounter when on road trips include:
- Tire issues: low pressure, uneven wear, sidewall damage, or worn tread
- Battery problems: especially weak startup before a long drive
- Engine and cooling issues: warning lights, fault codes, low coolant, or overheating
- Brake problems: wear, brake noise, or reduced braking confidence
- Visibility problems: bad wipers or low washer fluid
- Under-the-hood wear: loose belts, cracked hoses, or fluid leaks
- Poor fuel economy: driving style, extra load, or maintenance issues could influence this
Fortunately, there’s ways to mitigate each and we’ll go more in-depth how right down below.
1. Run a diagnostic scan a few days before the trip
We’ll start with something every driver should have in their toolkit – an OBD2 scanner. With it, you can run a diagnostic scan that may help you catch issues before they turn into bigger problems.
Why is it so useful?
Because modern cars can store fault codes even when there’s no warning light on the dashboard. Some faults may be old or minor, but others can point to issues worth checking before a long drive – especially if they relate to the engine, battery, cooling system, brakes, transmission, lights, or safety systems.
With a diagnostic tool like OBDeleven 3, you can run a full scan from your phone and see what your car is reporting across supported systems.
Do this at least a week before you leave, not on the morning of the trip. That gives you time to investigate or book a mechanic if needed.
2. Pay attention to small symptoms leading up to the drive
A long drive can turn small issues into bigger ones – which is why cranking up the music to ignore strange noises in your car isn’t the safest move.
That weak startup, rough idle, or occasional warning light might not feel urgent during short city drives. But several hours on the highway – with added heat, hills, luggage, and traffic – can put extra stress on the same parts.
Before the trip, think about anything that felt “a little off” recently. Then compare it with what you see in a diagnostic scan and basic physical checks.
Tip: Want to stay ahead of problems next time? Set Maintenance reminders in the OBDeleven app for things like oil changes, brake checks, tire rotation, filters, fluids, and inspections. This helps you keep track of upcoming service before it gets forgotten – or before a long trip turns it into a bigger issue.
Learn how to set up maintenance reminders with OBDeleven in our FAQ page.
3. Check your tires properly
Check tire pressure when they’re cold – use the pressure listed on the driver’s door sticker or owner’s manual. Don't get confused by the number on the tire sidewall – it’s usually the maximum tire pressure, not the recommended pressure for your car.
Also look at tread depth, uneven wear, cracks, cuts, bulges, and anything stuck in the tire. If your car has a spare, check that too. Many drivers forget the spare until they actually need it.
Pro tip: If you are traveling with passengers and a full trunk, check whether your car has a different tire pressure recommendation for heavier loads.
4. Check all key fluids
Long drives make your engine, cooling system, and brakes work harder for longer – so fluid checks are a must.
Before you leave, check your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid if your car uses it. If your vehicle allows it, check the transmission fluid too.
Low fluid levels are not always a “top it up and move on” situation. They can also point to a leak or a system that needs attention. That’s where OBDeleven Maintenance reminders can help – by showing when you last topped up or serviced key fluids, making it easier to spot if something unusual is happening.
This is especially important with coolant and brake fluid. If either one is low, find out why before driving long distance.
5. Look for leaks, worn belts, and damaged hoses
A quick visual inspection can catch problems a scan will not always show.
Look under the car after it has been parked for a while. Water from the air conditioning can be normal, but oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, or fuel should not be ignored.
Under the hood, check for cracked hoses, swollen hoses, loose clamps, worn belts, wet areas, oil residue, or a sweet coolant smell.
Tip: If you’re not sure where to begin, OBDeleven app has a Car inspection feature that has a guided manual checklist that you can follow to make sure your inspection is thorough. Summer heat can make old rubber parts fail faster, so take your time inspecting properly before a long summer drive – no need to be a mechanic to see if something looks wet, cracked, loose, or out of place.
6. Test lights, wipers, and visibility
You may end up driving through rain, fog, roadworks, tunnels, or late-night stretches. So check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, fog lights, wipers, washer spray, mirrors, and windshield condition before you leave.
Checking all your lights at once can be tricky – but OBDeleven can help.
Testing certain lights can be tricky, but OBDeleven One-Click Apps can make it easier. If you own a BMW, Audi, or Volkswagen, Lights Showmode activates all lights for 30 seconds, helping you spot anything that isn’t working properly. Depending on your vehicle, you may also find tests for specific lights.
This is also a good time to clean the windshield inside and out. A dirty one can make visibility much worse, especially during night driving or when the sun’s bright.
If your vehicle supports it, a diagnostic scan can also help identify some lighting-related faults. But a simple walkaround is still the fastest way to check whether everything works.
7. Check the battery and charging system
A weak battery can be easy to miss until the car refuses to start.
This is more likely if the battery is old, the car has been sitting for a while, or you have noticed slower starts. Heat can also be tough on batteries, not just cold weather.
Before a long trip, pay attention to a weak or slow engine start, battery-related fault codes, dim lights, or electrical glitches. If the battery is already questionable, it is better to test it before leaving than hope it survives the trip.
If you own a Toyota or Lexus, OBDeleven lets you quickly check your hybrid battery’s balance and temperature. In just a few taps, you’ll get a clear summary of its overall condition.
A portable jump starter is also worth packing, especially if you are driving through remote areas. We recommend some in this blog post on the must-have car accessories.
8. Keep OBDeleven 3 plugged in to catch surprise faults early
If you own an OBDeleven 3, keeping it plugged in during the trip can help you spot problems early.
When fault activity changes, you’ll receive Car alerts straight to your smartphone. From there, you can pull over safely, run a full diagnostic scan, and check whether it’s something minor or a problem that needs a mechanic’s attention.
This way, you can catch issues before they turn into an unexpected breakdown and leave you stranded.
9. Make the drive more comfortable before you leave
Comfort matters more on a long drive than it does on a short commute.
Before the trip, adjust the basics: seat position, mirrors, climate settings, navigation, phone mount, charging cables, and storage. Small things can become annoying after several hours if you leave them until the last minute.
On supported vehicles, OBDeleven One-Click Apps can also help you adjust selected comfort and convenience features without manual coding.
Want easier highway lane changes? Adjust comfort turn signals. Want the cabin to feel a little cozier at night? Enable footwell lights. Driving to a country where Scandinavian DRLs are required? Activate them in just a few taps. Depending on your vehicle, these and many other small comfort tweaks can be done with One-Click Apps.
It is not essential road trip prep. But if a small setting makes your car easier to live with for 10+ hours, it is worth checking what is available before you go.
10. Track the trip and fuel costs
A road trip is also a good time to understand how your car behaves over longer distances.
With OBDeleven’s Trip tracker, you can review your distance, driving time, route data, and driving patterns after the trip. Once enabled, it tracks your trips automatically and saves them – it’s not only informative, but fun to have your journey through serpentines displayed on a map.
If you also log refuels, you can get a clearer view of fuel costs and see how they change across different routes. We’ve covered more practical tips in our How to save fuel blog post – because saving a few extra euros is always nice when you’d rather spend them on something better during vacation.
What to pack before a long road trip
A well-prepared car can save you from a lot of trouble – but make sure you also have these essentials before leaving:
- Phone charger and power bank
- Tire inflator and tire pressure gauge
- First aid kit, flashlight, reflective vest, warning triangle
- Paper towels, water, snacks
- Spare key
- Owner’s manual
- Insurance documents
- Roadside assistance details
We’ve also compiled all the latest gadgets and accessories worth adding to your car right here – they might just make your drive that much more comfortable.
Tip: Also download offline maps before you leave, especially if you are driving through rural areas or crossing borders – this can help a lot when the signal is bad.
OBDeleven 3 device + 200 Credits
Includes OBDeleven 3 device and 200 Credits for unlocking car features with One-Click Apps
€114.99
No paid plan required