April in the Bay Area is basically road trip season. The weather is perfect — not too hot, not too cold — and the California coast, wine country, and mountain roads are all calling. Whether you’re planning a weekend run up Highway 1, a trip to Tahoe before the season ends, or a longer drive down to Big Sur, your car needs to be ready for it.
Here’s what to check before you load up the car and head out.
Fluids: The Foundation of Everything
Before any road trip, do a quick fluid check. That means engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Low or dirty fluids can turn a fun trip into a breakdown on the side of the road. If you’re not comfortable checking these yourself, just swing by — it takes us about ten minutes.
Tires: Pressure and Condition
Here’s something most people skip: checking tire pressure before a road trip. Under-inflated tires run hotter, wear faster, and use more gas. For a longer drive, that adds up. Check the pressure and top off as needed — the correct PSI is on the sticker inside your driver’s door, not on the tire itself.
Also do a quick visual inspection of each tire. Look for cracks, bulges, or anything that looks off. If a tire’s looking sketchy, replace it before the trip — not after.
Brakes: Don’t Gamble on Mountain Roads
Highway 1, the road up to Stinson Beach, or the winding roads around Lake Tahoe — these all involve a lot of braking. If your brakes have been making noise or feeling soft, get them checked before you go. This isn’t something to put off when you’re doing downhill mountain driving.
Battery: The Last Thing You Want Failing on a Trip
Batteries don’t always give you a lot of warning before they die. If yours is three or four years old, have it tested. A quick battery check can tell you how much life it’s got left. The last thing you want is to be stranded in Bodega Bay because your Camry won’t start.
Pack a Basic Emergency Kit
This isn’t strictly a car repair thing, but it’s worth mentioning. Keep a few basics in the trunk: jumper cables or a jump starter, a flashlight, basic tools, a first aid kit, and a roadside emergency triangle or flares. It won’t fix a breakdown, but it’ll make one a lot less terrible.
Let Us Send You Off Right
Before your next big drive, come see us at Easy Automotive. We’ll do a pre-road trip inspection and make sure your Toyota, Honda, Subaru, or Mazda is ready for wherever you’re headed. We’ve been keeping Marin County drivers on the road for over 30 years — we know how to get you prepped.
Have a great trip!