I am sure this is pretty much run of the mill for for most people, but you can use this to make sure you don't skip over something important while checking the car. It is more or less a full checkup on most major components in the car. Thanks to sabotage, Jason84, drmh, GR8One1020, Tegman98, and bostongraf for their inputs! If you find that something is amiss, use your best judgement to determine if it is a make or break issue. As always, drive safe and be aware of your surroundings.
Preliminary Checklist ( before you leave ): __ 1. Check and adjust tire pressure, alignment. Ensure lug nuts are tightened properly, and tires are not excessively worn. No vibrations and not pulling to one side. If possible, jack up the car, remove the tires, and inspect for any punctures or bubbles. Ensure that your brake pads are not excessively worn. While the car is up in the air, check if the wheels spin freely. If not, you may have seized calipers or your brakes may need adjustment. __ 2. Check and top off brake, cl**tch, motor oil, transmission, wiper, power steering fluid, coolant, and gas. Good idea to bring an extra quart of oil. Make sure drain bolts, fill bolts, and filters are tightened properly. __ 3. Inspect engine. Include battery and charging system, belts, ignition system, air filter, radiator, vacuum system and hoses, air conditioning and heating system. Check cl**tch, brake, accelerator, and e-brake travel and free play. __ 4. Inspect spare tire, check and adjust pressure. If you don't have a spare, a can of fix-a-flat or equivalent and a portable air compressor can be used temporarily. Make sure you have your necessary tools and jacks in the hatch / trunk. Remember these are only for emergency situations and you are NOT supposed to run on these for extended periods! Be careful using fix-a-flat or equivalent in freezing climates. The contents can freeze, leaving you with a worthless can! __ 5. Inspect (power) mirrors, headlights, brake lights, reverse lights, turn signals, hazards, fogs, horn, and fuses. Check wipers. __ 6. Check cabin safety equipment such as seat belts. __ 7. Bring a cell phone and disposable camera! Problems may arise where you will need emergency contact or take pictures in case of an accident. If you don't have a national plan, it is wise to check ahead of time that you will have coverage during the course of the trip. If it is an extended trip or your phone consumes a lot of power, bring a car charger. __ 8. Make sure you have all needed paperwork. Proof of ownership, insurance, credit card, cash, proper ID, etc. __ 9. Double-check to make sure you have everything you need, luggage, extra keys. Make sure you locked everything that needs to be. __ 10. Familiarize yourself with the directions. Take a map out and plan your course. Verify that the routes given to you by a friend, MapQuest, Yahoo! Maps, GPS, etc., do not have inconsistencies. Have a someone to call in case you get lost ( or call AAA, OnStar, etc ). Expect to encounter traffic, accidents, etc and be ready to make last-minute decisions. Bring change with you if you are travelling on toll ways. If you have an electronic toll collection system (ie EZPass, IPass), make sure you have sufficient balance on the account.
On-the-Go Checklist ( during the trip ): 1. Take rest stops. Stretch. Go to the bathroom. Relax. Switch drivers. 2. Recheck fluids. Check for leaks. Motor oil especially important if you are even slightly consuming oil ( VTEC engines especially ). Check the cooling system if you are driving in near-extreme climates. 3. Check front air dam and remove any road debris. Make sure there are no punctures in the AC condenser and radiator. 4. Recheck tire pressure. Make sure nothing has found its way into your tire. Check wheels for any possible curbage. 5. Check suspension, axles, CV joints if you can. 6. Be aware of your surroundings. Beware of becoming velocitized aka having tunnel-vision.
Night Driving Checklist Addendum ( for the night-drivers ): 1. A flashlight. Spare set of batteries recommended. 2. If you are feeling tired or sleepy, PULL OVER. Take a NAP for at least 20 minutes. Driving fatigued is just as bad as a DUI. 3. For the uber-paranoid, bring emergency flares or triangles.
Other Things You May Want to Bring ( for convienience ): 1. Cooler with ice. Or a travel-size 12v thermoelectric cooler. 2. Drinks, snacks, food, napkins, etc. 3. Another driver or navigator. 4. Bring CDs with you. Chances are you will find radio stations that don't fit your taste. 5. Radar detector! If you have one, bring it. Good buys are Beltronics RX65, Beltronics STI, Escort Passport 8500 X50, and the venerable Valentine One. 6. Portable GPS navigator. These are good especially if you encounter traffic and want to lookup a reroute. Ones with voice options are handy so you don't take your eyes off the road. Some big names to look for are Magellan, Garmin, and
Thanks to sabotage, Jason84, drmh, GR8One1020, Tegman98, and bostongraf for their inputs! If you find that something is amiss, use your best judgement to determine if it is a make or break issue. As always, drive safe and be aware of your surroundings.
Preliminary Checklist ( before you leave ):
__ 1. Check and adjust tire pressure, alignment. Ensure lug nuts are tightened properly, and tires are not excessively worn. No vibrations and not pulling to one side. If possible, jack up the car, remove the tires, and inspect for any punctures or bubbles. Ensure that your brake pads are not excessively worn. While the car is up in the air, check if the wheels spin freely. If not, you may have seized calipers or your brakes may need adjustment.
__ 2. Check and top off brake, cl**tch, motor oil, transmission, wiper, power steering fluid, coolant, and gas. Good idea to bring an extra quart of oil. Make sure drain bolts, fill bolts, and filters are tightened properly.
__ 3. Inspect engine. Include battery and charging system, belts, ignition system, air filter, radiator, vacuum system and hoses, air conditioning and heating system. Check cl**tch, brake, accelerator, and e-brake travel and free play.
__ 4. Inspect spare tire, check and adjust pressure. If you don't have a spare, a can of fix-a-flat or equivalent and a portable air compressor can be used temporarily. Make sure you have your necessary tools and jacks in the hatch / trunk. Remember these are only for emergency situations and you are NOT supposed to run on these for extended periods! Be careful using fix-a-flat or equivalent in freezing climates. The contents can freeze, leaving you with a worthless can!
__ 5. Inspect (power) mirrors, headlights, brake lights, reverse lights, turn signals, hazards, fogs, horn, and fuses. Check wipers.
__ 6. Check cabin safety equipment such as seat belts.
__ 7. Bring a cell phone and disposable camera! Problems may arise where you will need emergency contact or take pictures in case of an accident. If you don't have a national plan, it is wise to check ahead of time that you will have coverage during the course of the trip. If it is an extended trip or your phone consumes a lot of power, bring a car charger.
__ 8. Make sure you have all needed paperwork. Proof of ownership, insurance, credit card, cash, proper ID, etc.
__ 9. Double-check to make sure you have everything you need, luggage, extra keys. Make sure you locked everything that needs to be.
__ 10. Familiarize yourself with the directions. Take a map out and plan your course. Verify that the routes given to you by a friend, MapQuest, Yahoo! Maps, GPS, etc., do not have inconsistencies. Have a someone to call in case you get lost ( or call AAA, OnStar, etc ). Expect to encounter traffic, accidents, etc and be ready to make last-minute decisions. Bring change with you if you are travelling on toll ways. If you have an electronic toll collection system (ie EZPass, IPass), make sure you have sufficient balance on the account.
On-the-Go Checklist ( during the trip ):
1. Take rest stops. Stretch. Go to the bathroom. Relax. Switch drivers.
2. Recheck fluids. Check for leaks. Motor oil especially important if you are even slightly consuming oil ( VTEC engines especially ). Check the cooling system if you are driving in near-extreme climates.
3. Check front air dam and remove any road debris. Make sure there are no punctures in the AC condenser and radiator.
4. Recheck tire pressure. Make sure nothing has found its way into your tire. Check wheels for any possible curbage.
5. Check suspension, axles, CV joints if you can.
6. Be aware of your surroundings. Beware of becoming velocitized aka having tunnel-vision.
Night Driving Checklist Addendum ( for the night-drivers ):
1. A flashlight. Spare set of batteries recommended.
2. If you are feeling tired or sleepy, PULL OVER. Take a NAP for at least 20 minutes. Driving fatigued is just as bad as a DUI.
3. For the uber-paranoid, bring emergency flares or triangles.
Other Things You May Want to Bring ( for convienience ):
1. Cooler with ice. Or a travel-size 12v thermoelectric cooler.
2. Drinks, snacks, food, napkins, etc.
3. Another driver or navigator.
4. Bring CDs with you. Chances are you will find radio stations that don't fit your taste.
5. Radar detector! If you have one, bring it. Good buys are Beltronics RX65, Beltronics STI, Escort Passport 8500 X50, and the venerable Valentine One.
6. Portable GPS navigator. These are good especially if you encounter traffic and want to lookup a reroute. Ones with voice options are handy so you don't take your eyes off the road. Some big names to look for are Magellan, Garmin, and