What to Check Before a Long Road Trip From Vancouver

Vancouver is the departure point for some of the most spectacular road trips in Canada — the Coquihalla, the Sea-to-Sky, the ferry routes to Vancouver Island, the Interior, and the mountain highways that link them. Before any long drive through BC's mountain terrain, a short checklist covers the things that matter most when you are far from home. Here is what to check before you go.

Tyres

Tyre condition is the single most important pre-trip check. Check tyre pressure before departure — not just visually, with a gauge. Under-inflated tyres generate more heat at speed and are more susceptible to blowouts on highway driving. Check tread depth with a 20-cent coin: if the rim of the coin is visible above the tread, the tyre is below the minimum safe depth. On the Coquihalla or any mountain highway, tyre failure is an emergency in a location far from breakdown services.

If your route takes you through mountain passes in shoulder season — late autumn or early spring — check whether your tyres are appropriate for the conditions. All-weather or winter tyres may be required on certain BC highways during seasonal restrictions.

Brakes

Mountain driving demands more from your brakes than city driving. On a long descent — the Coquihalla is a 6 to 8 percent grade sustained for kilometres — brake heat builds with sustained use. Before a mountain trip, check for any change in brake feel: a soft pedal, a vibration under braking, or reduced stopping power compared to normal driving are all reasons to have the brake system inspected before departure.

If the brake warning light is illuminated, do not drive to the Interior. Brake fluid should be at the correct level, and if it is more than two years old it should be flushed — brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers its boiling point and reduces braking performance under sustained heavy use.

Coolant and Fluids

Check coolant level with the engine cold — not hot, as the expansion tank reading will be inaccurate when hot. If coolant is low, top up with the correct type for your vehicle. Mixing coolant types can reduce the corrosion protection of the cooling system.

Washer fluid matters more on a long trip than most people think. Mountain highways collect road film and bug splatter on the windscreen quickly. A full washer reservoir and a spare bottle in the boot is a small investment that makes a large difference to visibility on a long drive. In cold conditions, use winter-rated washer fluid that will not freeze.

Battery and Electrical

For vehicles over four years old, battery condition is worth checking before a long trip. The cold start demands on a battery are highest in cold weather, and a battery that is marginal in the city may fail on a cold mountain morning. Most auto parts stores will test a battery load-free in minutes. If the battery is more than five years old, replacement before a long trip is a cheap insurance against being stranded far from help.

For electric vehicles, long trips require planning around charging infrastructure. Check the route for charging stops before departure. Charge to 80 percent at departure rather than 100 percent for most drive profiles — high charge levels stress the battery on long drives. Pre-conditioning the cabin while still plugged in before departure reduces the battery draw from the climate system once underway.

Lights, Wipers, and Visibility

Check all lights before departure — headlights, taillights, brake lights, and indicators. A burned-out brake light on a BC Interior highway is both a safety hazard and an offence that a police check can ticket.

Wiper blades that streak or skip are a visibility hazard in mountain rain. If the blades are more than a year old and leaving streaks, replace them before a long trip. On BC mountain highways in the wet season, visibility is already reduced — degraded wiper blades make it significantly worse.

JRS Auto Customs handles pre-trip vehicle inspections and maintenance in Vancouver. For our maintenance services, visit our maintenance services page.