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Diwali means going home, and for millions of families that means a long drive on packed highways. A breakdown on the expressway is the last thing anyone wants during the festival. That’s why I always run through a simple car checklist before a road trip a few days before we leave.
Here’s my 10-point car checklist before a road trip, with what to check, why it matters and what you can do yourself in about 30 minutes. Most checks need nothing more than your eyes, a tyre pressure gauge and your car’s owner’s manual.
Quick Take
The 10 checks in short:
- Tyres: pressure, tread and the spare
- Fluids: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid
- Battery, lights and wipers
- Brakes and AC
- Documents, FASTag and an emergency kit, plus a route and rest plan
Tip: do these checks 3–4 days before you leave, so there’s time to fix any problem.
Table of Contents
1. Tyres: Pressure, Tread and the Spare
Tyres are the most important safety check. Under-inflated tyres heat up on long highway runs, wear faster and increase fuel use.
- Pressure: check the recommended figure on the sticker inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual. Check when the tyres are cold, and use the higher “full load” figure if the car will be fully packed.
- Tread: look for the small tread wear indicator bars in the grooves. If the tread is level with them, replace the tyres before the trip.
- Damage: look for cuts, bulges or nails in the sidewalls.
- Spare: check its pressure too, and make sure the jack and wheel spanner are in the car.
2. Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick with the engine off and cool, wipe it, reinsert it and check the level is between the two marks. If the oil is very dark or the car is due for a service, get it done before the trip.
3. Coolant, Brake Fluid and Washer Fluid
- Coolant: check the level in the reservoir when the engine is cold. Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine.
- Brake fluid: the level should be between MIN and MAX. If it’s low, have the brakes checked rather than just topping up.
- Washer fluid: fill it up; dusty highways and bugs quickly dirty the windscreen.
4. Battery
The battery is an easy item to skip on a car checklist before a road trip, but a weak one often fails at the worst time. Check for loose terminals or white crusty deposits, and notice whether the engine cranks slowly in the morning. If the battery is several years old, ask your mechanic or service centre to test it.
5. Lights and Indicators
Ask someone to stand outside while you test headlights (low and high beam), brake lights, indicators, hazard lights and fog lamps. Highway driving after dark is common on festival trips, so working lights are essential.
6. Wipers
Streaky or squeaky wipers won’t cope with sudden rain or dust. Replace blades that leave smears, and check the washer jets spray properly.
7. Brakes and AC
- Brakes: listen for squealing or grinding, and notice if the pedal feels soft or the car pulls to one side. If anything feels wrong, get it inspected before the trip.
- AC: make sure it cools properly. A long drive with a family in a hot car is miserable, and a weak AC can be a sign of a gas leak.
8. Documents and FASTag
Before any long drive, keep these ready. This part of the car checklist before a road trip saves you trouble at check posts and toll plazas:
- Driving licence, RC, insurance and PUC certificate, either physical copies or digital versions in DigiLocker or mParivahan
- FASTag balance: recharge in advance so you don’t get stuck at a toll plaza
- Emergency numbers: your insurer’s roadside assistance number and 112 for emergencies
9. Pack an Emergency Kit
No car checklist before a road trip is complete without an emergency kit. Pack:
- First-aid kit and any regular medicines
- Torch and spare batteries
- Reflective warning triangle
- Tyre inflator or puncture repair kit
- Phone charger and power bank
- Drinking water and snacks
- Basic tools, jumper cables and a tow rope
A portable tyre inflator is one of the most useful things you can carry. See our list of car gadgets worth buying for what to look for.
10. Plan Your Route and Rest Stops
The last item on your car checklist before a road trip isn’t mechanical at all:
- Check traffic on Google Maps before leaving; festival traffic can be very heavy
- Start early to avoid the worst rush and drive in daylight where possible
- Take a break every 2 hours to stretch, hydrate and stay alert
- Download offline maps for areas with weak mobile signal
- Never drink and drive, and swap drivers if you feel tired
Driving an EV? Plan charging stops on the e-Amrit portal or your charging network’s app, and read our guide to EV charging at home to start the trip fully charged.
Printable Car Checklist Before a Road Trip
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure, tread and spare | ☐ |
| Engine oil | ☐ |
| Coolant, brake and washer fluid | ☐ |
| Battery | ☐ |
| Lights and indicators | ☐ |
| Wipers | ☐ |
| Brakes and AC | ☐ |
| Documents and FASTag | ☐ |
| Emergency kit | ☐ |
| Route and rest stops | ☐ |
Save or screenshot this car checklist before a road trip and run through it before every long drive, not just Diwali.
Aadyanix Verdict: 30 Minutes That Can Save Your Festival
A car checklist before a road trip takes about half an hour, but it can prevent breakdowns, fines and stress on the highway. Do the checks a few days before you leave, fix anything that looks wrong and pack a basic emergency kit.
If you’re thinking of upgrading your car this festive season, read whether Diwali is the best time to buy a car. Have a safe and happy Diwali!
This Diwali, we’re driving from Gurugram to Patna to celebrate with family, and I’ll be ticking off every item on this checklist the weekend before we leave.
Car Checklist Before a Road Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
What should a car checklist before a road trip include?
Check tyres (including the spare), engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, battery, lights, wipers, brakes, AC, documents and FASTag, and pack an emergency kit.
When should I check my car before a road trip?
Three to four days before you leave, so there’s time to fix any problems.
Should I service my car before a long trip?
If it’s due for a service soon, yes. Otherwise, the basic checks in this list are usually enough.
Are digital car documents valid in India?
Documents stored in DigiLocker or the mParivahan app are accepted as valid by traffic authorities.
How often should I stop on a long drive?
Take a short break about every 2 hours to stay alert.
Have a road trip tip to share? Get in touch and we may add it to this guide.
