The vacation is booked, the bags are almost packed—the excitement is building. But before you hit the Autobahn, there's a crucial step that is often overlooked: a quick but thorough check of your car, tailored to the weather forecast. A flat tire in 35°C heat or frozen washer fluid in a snowstorm can quickly turn a dream trip into a nightmare. The good news: with a 15-minute routine, you can avoid the most common causes of breakdowns.
This guide is your universal checklist. We've divided it into three sections: for summer trips, for winter journeys, and for the changeable conditions of spring and autumn.
Your first and most important step is always the same: check the weather forecast not just for your destination, but along your entire route. A heatwave in Bavaria requires different preparations than a storm on the North Sea coast. Use a reliable app like checkwetter to inform yourself about temperatures, precipitation, and severe weather warnings.
Summer drives are often long and can lead to traffic jams. The biggest stress on your car is the heat.
Heat causes the air in your tires to expand, increasing the pressure. An already overinflated tire can overheat on long, fast highway drives and, in the worst case, burst. What to do: Check the tire pressure on cold tires in the morning before departure. Adjust it according to the load (the recommended values can be found inside the fuel cap or on the B-pillar of the driver's door).
The most common cause of a breakdown in a summer traffic jam is an overheated engine. What to do: Check the level of the coolant in the expansion tank. The level should be between "Min" and "Max". If you need to top it up, use the correct type (note the color!) and only add it when the engine is cold.
A broken air conditioner on the Autobahn at 35°C is torture. What to do: Test the A/C a few days before your trip. If it only blows lukewarm air, the refrigerant may need to be refilled. This is a job for the workshop.
Summer thunderstorms can be sudden and intense. Old, cracked wiper blades will smear more than they wipe in heavy rain. What to do: Check the wiper blades for cracks. Fill the windshield washer fluid with a summer cleaner that dissolves insect residue better.
In winter, cold and icy conditions are the biggest challenges. Here, preparation is vital.
Winter tires are mandatory! In Germany, there is a situational winter tire requirement. What to do: Check the tread depth—at least 4 mm is recommended for winter conditions. Adjust the tire pressure. Pack snow chains if your journey takes you into the mountains, and practice putting them on once in the dry beforehand.
Frozen fluids will paralyze your car. What to do: Fill up with windshield antifreeze rated to at least -25°C. Check the antifreeze in the coolant with a hydrometer (cheap at any hardware store). It should also protect down to -25°C or lower.
A weak battery is the number one cause of breakdowns in winter. What to do: If your battery is older than 4 years, have it tested at a workshop before your trip. Ensure the battery terminals are clean.
The days are short, visibility is often poor. What to do: Walk around your car and check all lights: low beams, high beams, brake lights, and rear fog light.
These seasons are characterized by unpredictability. The focus is on good visibility and grip in the wet.
After winter, the wiper blades are often brittle. What to do: Replace cracked or smearing wiper blades. Top up the washer fluid.
On wet roads, sufficient tread depth (recommended at least 3 mm) is crucial to avoid aquaplaning.
Autumn fog can reduce visibility to a few meters. What to do: Check the function of your fog lights and rear fog light.
A quick, weather-adapted check before a trip is not a major effort, but it is one of the best insurances against stress, breakdowns, and dangerous situations. It gives you the peace of mind that you and your vehicle are as prepared as possible for the journey ahead. Take these 15 minutes—for a safe and relaxed arrival at your destination.