{"id":5930,"date":"2025-09-04T17:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T07:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/?p=5930"},"modified":"2026-05-14T16:08:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T06:08:02","slug":"how-to-prep-your-car-for-a-long-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/how-to-prep-your-car-for-a-long-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prep Your Car for a Long Road Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Australians <a href=\"https:\/\/outbacktravelaustralia.com.au\/destinations-trip-planning\/nearly-one-in-five-australians-love-road-trips\/\">love<\/a> long road trips. There\u2019s just something about driving for hours with the breeze hitting your hair and the wide, open road stretching out ahead of you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But while the sense of adventure is undeniable, the practical side of things can\u2019t be ignored. Road trips can often be full of unknowns and uncertainties. Whether you&#8217;re booking a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redspot.com.au\/product-and-services\/one-way-hire\/car-rental-sydney-to-melbourne\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.redspot.com.au\/product-and-services\/one-way-hire\/car-rental-sydney-to-melbourne\/\">Sydney to Melbourne car rental<\/a> for the classic east coast drive, or going to the outback in the remotest parts of the country, preparation is key.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are our tips for prepping your car for a long road journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Schedule a Comprehensive Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before setting off, have a mechanic carry out a full inspection. This should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fluid checks<\/strong>: Oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brake inspection<\/strong>: Pads, rotors and brake lines for wear or leaks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Suspension and steering<\/strong>: Ensure components are in good shape for varied terrain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Belts and hoses<\/strong>: Look for cracks, fraying or swelling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery<\/strong>: Test for charge and inspect terminals for corrosion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure all your logbooks and service history are up to date. This way, whether you\u2019re seeing a <a href=\"https:\/\/shiftautomotivebundaberg.com.au\/\">mechanic in Bundaberg<\/a>, Broome or Bourke, they\u2019ll have the complete record of your car\u2019s mechanical history to work from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check Your Tyres<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aami.com.au\/aami-informed\/on-the-road\/safe-driving\/how-to-check-your-tyres.html\">tread depth<\/a>, look for signs of uneven wear, and ensure they\u2019re inflated to the manufacturer\u2019s recommended pressure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SUV-in-outback-595x325.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SUV-in-outback-595x325.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SUV-in-outback-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SUV-in-outback-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SUV-in-outback.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re venturing off-road, consider all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres, and always check the spare is in good condition; an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/course\/4wd-off-road-training\/\">off-road driving course<\/a> is a good idea. Carry a portable air compressor so you can adjust pressures for sand, gravel, or sealed roads.&nbsp;Check this before you go because not all air compressors are made equal; some take an eternity to fill a tyre, are very noisy, and may not even be able to fill to the advertised pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have Your Emergency and Recovery Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Emergencies are not planned. They can come at any time. It\u2019s best to be prepared and have all the necessary gear to face unforeseen challenges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At a bare minimum, make sure to take jumper leads, a tyre repair kit, a jack and extra fluids like oil, coolant and brake fluids. If you\u2019re travelling to the outback, also add recovery tracks, a winch and a high-visibility safety vest for roadside stops. Taking all these items will ensure that you tackle adversity better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your other emergency gear should be to take care of you. Ensure you have appropriate clothing, and enough water and food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan Your Fuel and Rest Stops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a proper itinerary of your route can help you save on fuel. This is vital as sometimes, fuel stations can be hundreds of kilometres apart from each other. Always top up your fuel whenever you see a fuel station after a long haul. Carry jerrycans to be on the safer side. If you are driving an EV, route planning becomes even more critical because you can&#8217;t hitchhike and bring back a charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are more than <a href=\"https:\/\/roadgenius.com.au\/cars\/ev\/chargers\/australia\/\">2500<\/a> charging stations across Australia, their availability in remote areas can be quite spread out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protect Your Vehicle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Remote terrain demands robust vehicles and strong protection, especially if you intend to drive off-road. This can include scratches and dents, as well as more serious issues that can affect important components like the engine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having specialised protective gear like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jungle4x4.com.au\/blogs\/news\/what-is-a-bull-bar\">bull bars<\/a> can be a great asset in such situations. Bull bars can protect the front end of your car, including the bumper, grille and headlights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Load Smart and Balance Weight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/packing-the-car-for-holiday-595x325.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/packing-the-car-for-holiday-595x325.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/packing-the-car-for-holiday-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/packing-the-car-for-holiday-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/packing-the-car-for-holiday.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>How you pack your vehicle has a big impact on safety and performance. If you overload your vehicle or even load unevenly, it can compromise handling, make braking inefficient and even impact the efficiency of fuel consumption.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s advised that while loading, the heavier items be kept as close to the centre of gravity as possible. This improves vehicle stability when travelling on unstable and suddenly turning roads. Be mindful of load distribution even when selecting the sides. Don\u2019t overload any one of the sides. Finally, make sure everything is securely tied. Be very wary of items that can act like projectiles, as they will turn out to be dangerous when braking suddenly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have a Communications Backup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In many parts of Australia, telecom reception can be very unreliable and sometimes even non-existent. This is why it\u2019s crucial that you share your itinerary and expected arrival times with family or friends so someone knows where you should be at any given point.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a reliable <a href=\"https:\/\/regionaltechhub.org.au\/phone\/satellite-phone\/\">satellite phone<\/a> as a backup can also alleviate your concerns about being out of touch in far-flung places.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Car prep can be a tedious job, but it is necessary to keep things running smoothly. If you don\u2019t want your road trip to be eventful in a <em>bad<\/em> way, it\u2019s best to be prepared and take utmost caution.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schedule a comprehensive car check and servicing before starting a long trip. Be meticulous while checking your tyres and ensure that the spare tyre (whether a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/are-space-saver-spare-tyres-safe\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2040\">space-saver<\/a> or a full-sized tyre) is in ideal condition (pumped up to the required pressure). Have your emergency and recovery gear in pristine condition and ready for action. Plan your fuel stops very carefully, as remote regions tend to have them hundreds of kilometres apart. Use things like bull bars to protect your vehicle from excessive damage. Load smartly and spread things out. Keep things as close to the centre of gravity as possible. Finally, take care of communication by ensuring you\u2019re able to be in touch with others while you\u2019re out on the road. Buy a satphone and tell someone about your itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news? With everything in order, you\u2019ll be free to enjoy the open highway and everything that comes along the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Australians love long road trips. There\u2019s just something about driving for hours with the breeze hitting your hair and the wide, open road stretching out ahead of you.&nbsp; But while the sense of adventure is undeniable, the practical side of<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/how-to-prep-your-car-for-a-long-road-trip\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5932,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5930"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5930\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6037,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5930\/revisions\/6037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}