What should you check before a long trip in your car?

Prior to embarking on a long trip, it's essential to conduct a thorough check of your vehicle’s systems, particularly focusing on critical components like tires and brakes. Ensuring that your tires are adequately inflated and have sufficient tread can significantly impact your vehicle's handling and safety, especially over long distances. Additionally, the brakes must be in optimal working condition to ensure effective stopping power, which is vital for safe driving.

Checking these systems can help prevent roadside emergencies and enhance overall road safety. Other aspects, such as fluid levels (oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid) and lights, should also be inspected, as they contribute to the vehicle's operational efficiency and safety.

The other choices, while they might hold some relevance, do not address the critical safety aspects of vehicle preparation for a long trip. For instance, monitoring only the fuel level overlooks essential mechanical checks that could lead to problems during travel. Similarly, the condition of the passenger seat may not impact the driving experience as significantly as the condition of the brakes or tires. Lastly, car color and design do not influence the vehicle's performance or safety and are therefore irrelevant for trip preparations.