We all liked to go drive.. and drive long we do, if we have a long holiday : )
Here are some Safety precautions I have compiled, before a long journey:
1. Tires - check if thread is still enough throughout both the circumference and the width of each tire, for this is critically needed for grips especially on slippery surface. Also check both the threaded surface and the wall of each tire to ensure the rubber still has sufficient mass without blisters or worse, the metal wires inside showing, and sufficient integrity without hairline cracks appearing, for this is critical to avoid tire burst at high speed or prolonged motion.
2. All lights - 3 brake lights, reverse lights and 2 turning lights in the rear, and 2 low lights, 2 headlights, 2 high beams, 2 turning lights and 2 fog lights if any. How to check all those lights in the rear if there's only 1 of you checking these things? At home or safe place, just place your phone somewhere safe behind the car and do video recording as you get in and sit the brake, shift to reverse while securely braking, and switching on the left and right turn signals. Oh, and switch on the hazard lights too.
3. radiator water - only when car has really cooled down, and unscrew the cap just a little at first to let off any hot steam,
4. battery water level, if not maintenance-free battery - please don't use tap water!
5. engine oil - check for both its level, and its color/viscosity,
6. wiper water - just use tap water to fill right up to the max level, you're gonna need a lot if your windscreen gets splashed with muddy rainwater from the roadside puddles, or gets bombarded by bird's droppings (or a swarm of suicidal insects, which happened to me once near the PD highway toll), Other than that, I advise having some snacks which are neat enough to not smear up your seats or leave crumbs everywhere, for keeping awake whilst still having full control and focus behind the wheel, plus some drinks like a 500-ml bottled mineral water (although fasting, but being on a long journey you have to be prepared for the unexpected), and also 1-2 no's of 1.5L-bottles of clean tap water (radiator leak, wiper water needs topping up, hands need washing etc).
