Packing the suitcases is the fun part. Mapping out the route, picking the playlist, deciding who sits where. Checking the car over? Not quite so exciting. But it matters just as much. Before you pull out of the driveway, a quick road trip checklist can save you from breakdowns, delays, and the kind of stress nobody wants on day one of a holiday. Summer traffic builds up fast on routes toward the Devon coast, so a car that’s running well makes the whole journey easier. This guide covers the four areas most likely to catch you out on a long drive: tyres, brakes, air con, and the battery.
Why Tyres Come First On Any Road Trip Checklist
Tyres are the only part of the car actually touching the road. That’s reason enough to check them first. Tread depth matters more than most drivers realise. Anything below 1.6mm is illegal. But if you’re loading up the boot or towing a caravan, you’ll want more grip than the bare minimum. Check the pressure too, ideally when the tyres are cold. Adjust it for the extra weight you’re carrying. A slow puncture or a bulge in the sidewall is easy to miss. Usually, it turns up at the worst possible moment. If anything looks off, our tyre specialists can check things over before you set off, whether that’s at our Exeter garage or wherever you happen to be in Devon.
Brakes: The Part You Really Don’t Want To Skip
Brakes rarely announce themselves until something’s wrong. That’s exactly why they need a proper look before a long drive. Listen out for grinding, squealing, or a pedal that feels softer than usual. These are early warning signs. They’re also far cheaper to sort now than after a small fault turns into a big repair. A fully loaded car puts more strain on brake pads and discs than the usual school run does. This is especially true on Devon’s hillier roads. Our team handle brake repairs and replacements as part of our wider garage services. A quick inspection beforehand means one less thing to think about once you’re on the motorway.
Air Con: A Small Job That Makes A Big Difference
Nobody wants warm air blowing out on a hot day. It’s easy to overlook until you actually need it. By then, you’re stuck with it for the whole trip. A quick check beforehand can catch a low refrigerant level or a fault before it becomes obvious halfway down the A38. Picture this: kids in the back, a hot dashboard, and a queue of traffic near the coast. Not exactly the start to a holiday anyone wants. Our garage services team can look over your air con alongside anything else on your list, so the weather doesn’t get the final say.
Battery Checks Before You Set Off
Batteries have a habit of failing at the worst time. Heat is actually one of the main causes, not just cold winter mornings as most people assume. Has your car been slow to start lately? Have the dashboard lights been flickering? These small signs are worth acting on. A battery on its way out rarely gives much more warning than that. Our car battery services include proper diagnostics. That way, you’ll know exactly where things stand rather than guessing and hoping for the best.
A Few Extra Bits Worth Adding To The List
Beyond the big four, a handful of smaller checks round out a solid road trip checklist. Top up your oil and coolant. Check your wiper blades still clear the windscreen properly. Make sure a spare tyre or repair kit is actually in the car, since it happens more often than you’d think that it isn’t. Heading out from Barnstaple, Exmouth, Plymouth, or the Torbay area? Our mobile service means we can come to you instead, which is handy if something crops up close to when you’re due to leave.
Ready For The Road?
A car that’s been properly checked over makes for a far more relaxed start to any holiday. Tyres, brakes, air con, or the battery, whichever one’s been on your mind, sorting it beforehand always beats dealing with it on the hard shoulder. Devon Tyres has been helping local drivers get ready for their trips since 2010. Our team would be glad to run through your own road trip checklist before you head off. Find out more about who we are on our about page, or get in touch today to book your pre-holiday check with the team in Exeter.