Holiday Road Trip Car Check: What to Inspect Before You Drive

Before a holiday road trip, check six things: tires, brakes, battery, fluids, wipers, and lights. Those are the usual trouble spots on a winter drive. If you're crossing Snoqualmie or Stevens Pass, add winter gear and traction devices to the list. Plan the check a week or two before you leave, so there's time to fix anything that turns up.

You can do a lot of this list yourself in the driveway. The rest is worth having a mechanic look at.

1. Tires: tread, pressure, and the spare

• Tread depth. Put a quarter in the tread upside down. If you can see the top of Washington's head, your tread is getting shallow for wet and snowy roads.

• Pressure. Cold weather lowers tire pressure. Check it cold, before driving, using the numbers on the sticker inside your driver's door (not the number on the tire).

• Uneven wear. Wear on one edge often means an alignment problem.

• The spare. Check that it's inflated and that the jack and lug wrench are actually in the car.

We can rotate and balance your tires and check alignment as part of a tire service.

2. Brakes

A loaded car going down a mountain pass works the brakes hard. Listen for squealing or grinding, and notice any vibration or a soft pedal. If your pads are getting thin, replace them before the trip. Our guide to how long brake pads last covers the signs they're done.

3. Battery

Cold weather is hard on batteries, and a battery that started fine all summer can quit on the first freezing morning in a mountain town. If your battery is three years or older, have it tested before you leave. A battery test takes a few minutes and checks the starter and alternator too.

4. Fluids

• Engine oil: check the level, and if you're close to your next oil change, do it before the trip.

• Coolant (antifreeze): check the level in the overflow tank with the engine cold. Look for puddles or a sweet smell, signs of a coolant leak.

• Washer fluid: fill it with a winter blend that won't freeze. You'll go through a lot on salty, slushy roads.

• Brake and transmission fluid: have these checked as part of a pre-trip inspection.

5. Wipers and defroster

Streaking or chattering wipers make a dark, wet drive harder than it needs to be. Replace them if they're more than about a year old or leave streaks. Make sure your defroster and rear defogger work before you're relying on them in freezing rain. See our wiper blade service.

6. Lights

Walk around the car with someone else and check headlights (low and high), brake lights, turn signals, and hazards. Cloudy headlight lenses cut down how far you can see at night, so have them cleaned or restored if they're yellowed.

Crossing a mountain pass? Add these

If your trip goes over Snoqualmie, Stevens, or White Pass, conditions can change fast. Before you go:

• Check WSDOT pass conditions the day you leave. Traction tire or chain requirements can go into effect quickly.

• Carry chains or traction devices that fit your tires, and practice putting them on in your driveway.

• Pack a winter kit: blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a phone charger, and a small shovel.

• Keep the tank at least half full in case you're stuck in a closure.

What a pre-trip inspection covers

If you'd rather not crawl around your car in the rain, we'll do it for you. A pre-trip inspection covers everything above, plus belts, hoses, suspension, and steering. You get a prioritized list that separates what needs fixing before you leave from what can wait until you're back. For the full seasonal list, see our fall car care checklist.

FAQ

How far ahead should I get my car checked before a road trip?
One to two weeks. That leaves time to order parts or schedule a repair without a last-minute scramble.

Do I need snow tires to drive over the pass?
Not always, but traction requirements can apply when conditions are bad. Check WSDOT before you go and carry chains if your vehicle needs them.

What's the most common road trip breakdown in winter?
Dead batteries and flat or damaged tires are two of the most common reasons drivers call for roadside help, so check those first if you're short on time.

Book your pre-trip check in Kirkland

Totem Lake Auto Care is an ASE Certified NAPA Auto Care facility, owned and operated by a BMW master mechanic, with 150+ five-star reviews. We work on foreign and domestic cars and light trucks across Kirkland and Seattle's Eastside. Learn more about our maintenance services in Kirkland, then book an appointment or call 425.225.3623.