Travel Tips
How to Maintain Your Car for a Long Road Trip
Planning a road trip can be an exciting adventure, but ensuring your car is ready for the journey is crucial to avoid breakdowns or mishaps along the way.
Proper car maintenance before a long trip is essential for safety, performance, and peace of mind. This detailed guide will walk you through how to prepare your car for a road trip, covering everything from tire care to fluid checks.
1. Inspect Your Tires
Tires are one of the most critical components for a road trip. Here’s what to check:
- Tire Pressure: use a tire pressure gauge to ensure the tires are inflated to the recommended levels specified in your car’s manual. Underinflated or overinflated tires can affect fuel efficiency and safety.
- Tire Tread: check the tread depth to ensure sufficient grip on the road. Place a penny into the tread grooves; if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tires.
- Look for Damage: Inspect for visible cracks, punctures, or bulges. Replace any damaged tires to prevent blowouts during your trip.
2. Check and Change Fluids
Fluids keep your car running smoothly. Ensure they’re at the correct levels and replace them if needed:
- Engine Oil: Check the oil level using the dipstick and top it up if necessary. If your oil is old or nearing its replacement interval, schedule an oil change before the trip.
- Coolant: Inspect the coolant reservoir to ensure the level is adequate. Coolant helps regulate the engine temperature, especially on long drives in varying weather conditions.
- Brake Fluid: Low brake fluid can affect your braking performance. Check the reservoir and add more if needed.
- Transmission Fluid: Proper transmission fluid levels ensure smooth gear shifts, which are essential for long drives.
- Windshield Washer Fluid: Fill up your washer fluid and ensure the wipers work efficiently to keep your windshield clear during the trip.
3. Test the Battery
Your car battery must be in good condition to avoid breakdowns. Here’s how to check it:
- Voltage Check: Use a multimeter to test the battery voltage; it should read around 12.6 volts when fully charged.
- Clean Terminals: Ensure the battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion.
- Replace if Needed: If the battery is over three years old or shows signs of weakness, consider replacing it before your trip.
4. Inspect the Brakes
Properly functioning brakes are vital for safety on a long road trip. Check for:
- Brake Pads: Inspect the thickness of your brake pads. If they’re worn, replace them.
- Brake Performance: Listen for unusual noises or vibrations when braking, which could indicate issues.
- Brake Fluid: Ensure the fluid is clean and at the correct level.
5. Check Lights and Signals
All lights and signals must work properly to ensure visibility and communication with other drivers:
- Test headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- Ensure the headlights are aimed correctly for optimal road illumination at night.
6. Test Your Air Conditioning and Heating System
Comfort is key on a long road trip. Make sure your HVAC system is functioning correctly:
- Cooling: Test the air conditioning for effective cooling, especially if you’re traveling in hot weather.
- Heating: Ensure the heater works if your journey involves colder climates.
7. Pack an Emergency Kit
Unexpected situations can arise during a road trip. Be prepared with an emergency kit that includes:
- A spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
- Jumper cables.
- A first-aid kit.
- Flashlights and extra batteries.
- Basic tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and duct tape.
- Drinking water, snacks, and a phone charger.
8. Check the Suspension and Steering
Your car’s suspension and steering system should be in good condition to handle long hours on the road.
- Shock Absorbers: Look for signs of wear, such as leaking fluid or uneven tire wear.
- Steering Response: Test the steering for any looseness or unusual vibrations.
9. Clean and Organize Your Car
A clean car makes for a more pleasant road trip experience:
- Exterior: Wash and wax the car to protect the paint.
- Interior: Vacuum and organize the cabin to maximize comfort.
- Windows and Mirrors: Clean all glass surfaces for better visibility.
10. Plan Fuel Stops and Check Mileage
Before hitting the road, calculate your car’s fuel efficiency and plan stops at reliable fuel stations along the route.
Carry a spare fuel can if you’re traveling through remote areas with fewer gas stations.
11. Update Your Documents and Insurance
Ensure all necessary documents are up to date:
- Driver’s license.
- Car registration.
- Proof of insurance.
12. Test Drive Before Departure
Take your car for a short test drive to identify any issues that might have been overlooked. Pay attention to engine performance, braking, and overall handling.
Proper car maintenance before a long road trip ensures safety, comfort, and reliability throughout your journey.
By inspecting your tires, checking fluids, testing your battery, and addressing any potential issues, you reduce the risk of breakdowns and enhance your road trip experience.
Regular maintenance is an investment in your car’s longevity and your peace of mind.
If you’re planning travel within Nigeria, up-to-date knowledge of regional security risks is essential.
Also Read: Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Routes: Death Traps and Insecurity Hotspots
Multiple international advisories, including from the U.S., New Zealand, the U.K., and Canada, highlight a growing number of states to avoid due to violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and general instability.
18 States Rated “Do Not Travel”
Governments worldwide have flagged 18 states across Nigeria as high-risk zones, warning travelers to avoid them completely:
- Borno & Yobe: Ongoing terrorism and Boko Haram activity
- Northern Adamawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara: High kidnapping and banditry risk
- Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers (except Port Harcourt): Elevated crime, armed robbery, and gang violence
New Zealand’s advisory goes even further, Abuja (outside central area) and nearly all states outside Lagos and Calabar are included in its “Do Not Travel” list due to terrorism and kidnapping threats.
What Makes These States Especially Dangerous
Northeast & Northwest: Insurgent Terror & Banditry
- States like Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa remain frontline regions for Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. Persistent attacks, abductions, and bombings continue to destabilize travel corridors.
- In the northwest, Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara face intense bandit-led kidnappings and rural raids. Recent operations freed dozens of hostages, often after armed confrontations.
Middle Belt: Ethno-Religious Clashes & Farmer-Herder Violence
- States like Plateau and Benue are plagued by escalating violence between herders and farmers compounded by climate stress and resource competition.
Southern States: Crime, Armed Gangs & Kidnappings
In parts of the South, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, kidnapping, port-related insecurity, and gang violence remain serious concerns even in urban zones. Rivers State, in particular, ranks among the most violent in the south.
Capital Area & Other Regions: Spillover Risks
Travel advisories also include the outer suburbs of Abuja, where violent crime including armed robbery and carjackings has spread beyond central areas.
RoadKing.ng Safety Snapshot
Region / Risk Type – Key States Security – Threats
Northeast – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa (North) – Terrorism, bombings, insurgent attacks
Northwest & North-Central – Katsina, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Plateau, Benue – Kidnappings, bandit raids, communal violence
South (Zones of Access) – Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu etc. – Armed gangs, organized crime, kidnappings
Federal Capital Area – Abuja suburbs – Carjacking, violent robbery
What RoadKing.ng Recommends
- Avoid travel to the listed high-risk states unless absolutely necessary.
- If travel is unavoidable, limit yourself to central urban areas (e.g., Lagos, Port Harcourt, central Abuja).
- Travel during daylight hours only.
- Use registered transport providers or hotel-arranged transfers.
- Stay informed, monitor local news, embassy advisories, and maintain communication with trusted locals.
Final Thought
The security situation in Nigeria remains fluid. Until significant improvements in safety infrastructure and governance occur, even urban hubs carry risk. When planning travel, always exercise extra caution and prioritize safety.
The Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, a critical link between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, has become a nightmare for motorists.
Also Read: Family of 4 Perish on Abuja-Lokoja Highway
Despite being one of the busiest roads in the country, it remains riddled with deep potholes, inadequate signage, and dangerous curves that contribute to a growing list of fatal accidents.
Over the past six months, this 165-kilometer stretch has witnessed more than 120 recorded crashes, according to FRSC data. Many drivers now refer to it as “The Corridor of Death.”
Why the Road is So Dangerous
1. Poor Maintenance
Years of neglect have left large sections of the road in a state of disrepair. Potholes, some deep enough to damage a vehicle’s suspension in one hit, force drivers into sudden lane changes, often leading to head-on collisions.
2. Traffic Volume
The road serves as the main entry into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the south, making it heavily trafficked by trucks, buses, and private vehicles. Peak hours can see traffic stretching for over 5 kilometers at bottlenecks.
3. Driver Behavior
Impatience is rampant. Commercial drivers, under pressure to meet time targets, frequently engage in dangerous overtaking, particularly on blind bends near Abaji and Gegu villages.
4. Weather Hazards
During the rainy season, poor drainage causes sections of the road to flood, creating hydroplaning risks and further obscuring already faded road markings.
Hotspots for Accidents
FRSC reports identify these locations as the most dangerous:
- Gegu Junction – notorious for truck collisions
- Abaji Hills Bend – poor visibility and sharp curves
- Zuba–Lokoja stretch – heavy commuter congestion and roadside markets
Voices from the Road
- Ahmed Bello, a long-distance bus driver: “Every trip is a gamble. You either lose time avoiding potholes or risk your life overtaking slow trucks.”
- Ngozi Okeke, a trader: “We’ve seen too many bodies on this road. Government must act before more lives are lost.”
Government Response
The Federal Ministry of Works announced in April 2025 that a ₦45 billion rehabilitation project had been approved. However, only patchwork repairs have been carried out so far, leading to skepticism among road users.
An official from the ministry, speaking under anonymity, admitted that funding disbursement delays have stalled progress.
Safety Recommendations for Drivers
- Avoid nighttime travel when visibility is low and streetlights are absent.
- Keep a longer following distance, especially behind heavy-duty trucks.
- Plan extra travel time to avoid rushing on dangerous stretches.
- Use alternate routes where possible during heavy rain.
Expert Opinion
Transportation analyst Engr. Salisu Umar warns that fixing the road alone will not end the fatalities:
“We need stricter driver licensing, mandatory speed governors for commercial buses, and designated truck lay-bys. A good road without disciplined drivers will still kill.”
Conclusion
The Lokoja-Abuja Road is more than just an infrastructure project waiting for completion, it is a daily battle for survival for thousands of Nigerians. Until the combination of road repairs, strict law enforcement, and driver education comes together, the tragedies will continue.
References:
- Federal Road Safety Corps – Mid-Year Crash Statistics, January–June 2025
- Federal Ministry of Works – Road Rehabilitation Budget Report (April 2025)
- RoadKing.ng archives – Lokoja–Abuja safety feature (2024)
Every rainy season, Nigerian roads become deadlier.
Potholes fill with water, visibility drops, and hydroplaning becomes common. Despite this, most drivers continue as though conditions haven’t changed.
Also Read: How to Drive in Heavy Rain: Safety Tips
According to FRSC 2025 data, wet-weather crashes account for nearly 21% of road fatalities during the rain season.
Why Rainy Season Driving Is So Dangerous in Nigeria
Poor Drainage Systems
- Flooded sections hide deep potholes and loose manhole covers.
- Key blackspots include Ijora Causeway (Lagos), Lokoja–Makurdi Road, and Onitsha–Owerri Highway.
Low Vehicle Maintenance
- Worn tyres and faulty brakes perform poorly in wet conditions.
- Many drivers ignore wiper replacement, worsening visibility.
Poor Road Visibility
- Heavy rainfall + inadequate lighting make it difficult to spot hazards.
What a National Campaign Should Focus On
| Key Risk | Safety Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Hydroplaning | Drive 20% slower, avoid sudden braking |
| Flooded potholes | Avoid high-speed puddle crossing, maintain safe distance |
| Tyre blowouts | Ensure minimum 1.6mm tread depth |
| Poor visibility | Replace wipers yearly, keep headlights clean |
| Brake failure in wet | Service brakes before rainy season |
How Other Countries Handle Rain Safety
- India: Monsoon safety PSAs on TV, radio, and social media every season.
- Thailand: Mandatory pre-rainy season tyre and brake inspections for commercial buses.
- Kenya: Flood-prone roads are temporarily closed and diversions announced on national radio.
RoadKing.ng Call to Action
Nigeria urgently needs:
- A Raining Season Driving Campaign driven by FRSC & state traffic agencies.
- Regular public advisories through radio, social media, and community outreach.
- Seasonal vehicle inspection programs before the rains begin.
Rain shouldn’t automatically mean danger, but without education and preparation, Nigeria’s rainy season will continue to claim lives unnecessarily.
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