The festive season is when a lot of Dombivli cars do their longest drive of the year — to family in Pune or Nashik, down the Konkan for a few days, or simply across Thane and Navi Mumbai visiting relatives with a full car and a full boot. A car that copes fine with the daily run to Dombivli station can behave very differently after four hours on a highway, two ghats and a few kilometres of festive traffic.
This checklist is what we would want you to look at before you leave. Some checks take two minutes in your society parking; a few are better done on a lift by a mechanic. Thoda time nikaaliye a day or two before the trip, not the morning you leave, so there is room to fix anything you find.
10 checks before you leave
1. Tyres: pressure, tread and the spare
Check pressure when the tyres are cold — before driving, not after a run to the petrol pump. Use the figures on the sticker inside the driver's door (many cars list a higher "full load" pressure; use it if the family and luggage are coming along). Look at the tread: if it is close to the small tread-wear bars moulded into the grooves, the tyre is due. Run a hand along each sidewall for cuts or bulges. And please check the spare — it is the tyre everyone forgets until the day they need it.
2. Wheel alignment and balancing
If the car pulls to one side on a straight road, the steering wheel is off-centre, or it vibrates somewhere around 80–100 km/h, get the wheel alignment and balancing checked. After a monsoon of potholes this is very common, and on a highway it means uneven tyre wear and a tiring drive.
3. Brakes: pads, discs and fluid
Ghat descents — Kasara on the way to Nashik, Khandala towards Pune, the Konkan ghats — are hard on brakes. Warning signs are a squeal or grinding sound, a soft or long pedal, or the car pulling to one side when you brake. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, so if it is dark or the manufacturer's change interval has passed, replace it. If anything feels off, book a brake inspection before the trip, not after.
4. Engine oil, filters and warning lights
If your service is due within the next 1,000 km or so, do it before the trip rather than halfway through it. Check the oil level on the dipstick with the car on level ground and the engine off for a few minutes. Any warning light on the dashboard — especially the check engine, oil pressure or temperature light — should be read with a scanner before a long drive. Our engine diagnostics page explains what a scan shows.
5. Coolant, radiator and hoses
Stop-go traffic on Kalyan-Shilphata Road followed by a long climb is exactly when a weak cooling system gives up. With the engine cold, check that the coolant is between the MIN and MAX marks. Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine. Squeeze the rubber hoses: they should feel firm, not cracked or spongy. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge during the drive.
6. Battery and charging
Slow cranking in the morning, dim headlights at idle, or white/green powder on the terminals are early signs. Batteries that are three or more years old are worth a quick load test before a trip. It takes a few minutes, and a battery check or replacement at home is far easier than a jump-start on the highway.
7. AC and cabin filter
A full car in afternoon traffic needs a working AC. If cooling is weak, the air smells musty, or the airflow is low even on the highest fan speed, the cabin filter may be clogged or the system may need attention. See car AC repair for what we check.
8. Lights, horn, wipers and washer
Walk around the car with someone pressing the switches: headlights (low and high beam), brake lights, indicators, hazard lights and the number-plate light. Check that the horn works, wiper blades clear the glass without streaks, and the washer bottle is full. Festive season evenings mean a lot of night driving.
9. Suspension and steering
Clunks over speed breakers, a bouncy ride after a bump, or play in the steering are signs of worn suspension parts. A loaded car makes them worse. Our suspension and steering repair page lists the usual culprits.
10. Documents, FASTag and emergency kit
Keep the RC, valid insurance and PUC certificate (digital copies on DigiLocker or mParivahan are accepted) and your driving licence with you. Recharge your FASTag before leaving. In the boot: a working jack and wheel spanner, a warning triangle, a torch, a basic first-aid kit, drinking water and a phone charger. Save a 24x7 number you can call if the car stops.
Get the checklist done in Dombivli East
If you would rather have a mechanic go through all of this, Autoport India Pvt Ltd is at Desai Naka, Opp. Croma, Kalyan-Shilphata Rd, Dombivli East, Thane 421204. The workshop is open 24x7, so a late-evening drop-off after office works too. Call or WhatsApp +91 72080 15250, or book online. If you cannot bring the car in, choose pick-up and drop in the booking form.
We are on the Shilphata stretch, close to Manpada and Sagarli, and a short drive from Palava and Kalyan. If the car needs more than a check, see our full car service in Dombivli packages.
Our everyday offer
Book at book.autoport.co.in and get:
- FREE 25-point general checkup
- Up to 15% OFF on labour charges
- Extra savings on labour with a referral code
No expiry. The discount applies to labour/service charges only; spare parts are billed at actuals. Nothing is paid online — you pay at the workshop after the work. Full terms are on the offer T&C page.
Safe driving kijiye — and get the free 25-point checkup done before you leave.
Related reading: Car service schedule by km · Wheel alignment vs balancing · Car battery problems: 9 signs · Car AC not cooling? Causes and gas refill
FAQs
How many days before a long trip should I get my car checked?
Two to three days before is ideal. That leaves time to order a part or redo a check if something needs repair, without rushing on the day you leave.
What does the free 25-point checkup cover?
It is a general visual and functional check of the car — things like fluids, tyres, lights, battery and brakes — so you know what needs attention. It is a check-up only; any repair or service is quoted separately and done only after you approve it.
Does the evergreen offer discount apply to spare parts?
No. The discount applies only to labour/service charges. Spare parts and consumables are billed at actuals. The evergreen offer is a FREE 25-point checkup plus up to 15% OFF labour.
Is the workshop open on festival days and at night?
Autoport is open 24x7, Monday to Sunday. For a specific time on a festival day, call +91 72080 15250 once so we can keep a slot ready for you.
What should I do if my car breaks down on the highway?
Move to the side safely, switch on hazard lights and place the warning triangle behind the car. Note any warning lights or noises, then call for help. Within Dombivli, Kalyan-Shilphata Road and nearby areas you can call us at +91 72080 15250; see our 24-hour breakdown help page.
Written by Shivam Kumar (@visionquantech) for Autoport India Pvt Ltd. Published 06 Nov 2026. General guidance only — your car's owner's manual and an in-person inspection come first.