Road Trip Checklist

Test the Battery

A dead battery can leave you stuck on the side of the road. Before you head out, stop by any O’Reilly Auto Parts store and let us test your battery for free. Batteries can be tested in or out of the vehicle, and this quick test will give you an idea how much life your battery has left. We also offer free battery charging and installation for most vehicles if you need to replace your battery before hitting the road on your next trip. Our parts professionals can help you find the right Super Start battery for your car, truck, or SUV.

Inspect Belts and Hoses

Damaged belts and hoses can result in an overheated engine, loss of power steering, or damage to your cooling system. Before your road trip begins, it’s a good idea to inspect your vehicle’s belts and hoses for any signs of excessive wear or damage. Look for shiny spots or worn ribs on serpentine belts, as well as checking to make sure the belt is tight and not making any noise. Hoses should be firm but not hard, and you can look for signs of cracking or bulging to ensure they’re ready for travel.

Check Your Brakes

Maintaining your vehicle’s brakes and brake hardware ensures your safety and the safety of others on the road. If it’s time to replace your brake pads or brake rotors, or if you notice any signs of brake wear, make sure to complete any brake repairs before hitting the road. Brakes that are squealing, grinding, or sticking can be dangerous, especially at highway speeds, and brake fluid leaks can cause a complete loss of braking. Inspecting your vehicle’s brake system and brake hardware can help you improve the safety of your vehicle and avoid more costly repairs due to brake failure.

Check and Top Off Fluids

Checking and refilling your fluids before your next road trip can help keep your car running its best and prevent overheating or a loss of lubrication, which could lead to costly repairs. Make sure to check the engine oil and coolant, as well as the transmission, brake, power steering, and washer fluid levels, and refill them as necessary. You can find the fluids you need for your vehicle at O’Reilly Auto Parts, and can learn more about how to check your vehicle’s fluids with our helpful video.

Inspect Wiper Blades

Make sure you’re ready for whatever weather comes your way during your road trip by checking the condition of your windshield wipers. The rubber wiper element of your wiper blade can wear and dry out over time, and may split, crack, or come loose. This can cause uneven wiping performance and prevent you from seeing through your windshield in the rain. Worn windshield wipers can also squeak or smear during operation, but these issues are easy to fix with new wiper blades from O’Reilly Auto Parts. Before taking the old off, inspect your wipers for any signs of damage or wear. If you need new wiper blades, our parts professionals will help you find the best ones for your vehicle and driving style, and can even install your new wiper blades for free.

Check Tires and Wheels

Making sure your tire pressure and tread depth are good to go before you hit the road is an important part of the road trip checklist. Visually inspect the tires for any signs of embedded debris, bulges or bubbles, worn areas, or leaks. If your tire pressure is low, make sure to air up your tires to the correct pressure according to your owners manual. This also includes the spare tire, so make sure you inspect its condition and pressure before you hit the road. O’Reilly Auto Parts has tire pressure gauges, tire inflators, and other tire tools to get you road trip-ready. You can also learn more about how to air up your tires and check tire pressure with our helpful video.

Gearing up for your next road trip doesn’t have to be hard. O’Reilly Auto Parts offers the road trip preparation parts, tools, roadside supplies, and free services to not only help make sure your car is ready to go, but also keep you safe during your trip. If you need automotive repair parts or tools while on your trip, you can also make a pit stop at one of our more than 6,000 locations to get the same helpful advice, supplies, or service from our parts professionals that you receive at your hometown O’Reilly. You can also learn more about staying road trip ready with our other helpful How-To articles.

The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.