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What Car Maintenance Should I Do Before a Big Road Trip?

Aug 20, 2025
What Car Maintenance Should I Do Before a Big Road Trip?

There’s nothing quite like the call of the open road. You go where you want, you see the sights along the way, and you have your choice of entertainment as you go. There’s just one thing—wouldn’t it put a damper on your big journey if your vehicle broke down on the way?  

Road trips are one of the last great expressions of freedom. So, why wouldn’t you want to ensure your freedom is safe from car troubles as you go? In this long road trip car maintenance checklist, we’ll go over how to prep your car for a road trip to avoid any unwanted service center stops. Read on to learn the long road trip car maintenance tips to ensure smooth sailing. 

Get an Oil Change 

When you neglect to get an oil change for too long, sludge builds up in your engine, and the parts don’t get the proper lubrication. Without the proper lubrication, too much friction occurs. When too much friction occurs, the engine will overwork and overheat, and when overheating occurs, your road trip can be cut short very quickly. Be sure to check your service records to make sure you have plenty of miles before your next oil change is due. 

Check Your Tires 

Naturally, a deflated or flat tire will put a halt to the road trip immediately. However, ignoring warning signs about your tires will lead to repairs on the road. Firstly, make sure there aren’t any slow leaks or bubbles in your tires. Secondly, ensure that your tire tread is still in good shape. If your tread is looking low, you should consider tire replacement to avoid flats or blowouts. 

Change Your Filters 

Since you’ll be spending so much time in the car, you’ll want to be able to breathe comfortably. You’ll also want to check your engine filter to make sure that dust and debris don’t get into the engine to muck things up. When you bring your car to your local Kansas City service center, be sure to have the technician inspect your filters.  

Inspect Your Brakes 

As important as it is for your car to move forward, you need to make sure your vehicle can safely come to a complete stop too. If you’ve noticed a squeaking or, worse yet, a grinding sound when braking, it’s time for brake replacement. You don’t want your wheels damaged from metal-on-metal when brake pads are worn or worse yet, getting into an accident because you couldn’t stop in time. 

Replace Your Wipers and Lights 

A safe ride is a happy ride, and being able to properly see through any time of day, night, or weather is vital to a safe trip. You can’t guarantee you won’t run into rain on your drive, so it’s good to have fresh wipers to keep your windshield clear. You also may end up driving when it’s dark, so lights are just as important. They’re quick and easy to replace, so you should.  

Service Your Car at McCarthy Collision Centers 

Set yourself up for success on your next road trip by bringing your vehicle to your local McCarthy Collision Center location. Our experts know vehicles inside and out and can get your car, truck, or SUV back to road-ready in no time at all. Call us today to schedule service to get your vehicle like new again for your next adventure: 

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