Top 5 Things to Check Before a Road Trip

Imagine hitting the open road for a Minnesota adventure—perhaps a winter escape to Duluth’s snowy cliffs or a holiday jaunt to Stillwater’s twinkling markets. Your car, your faithful companion, needs to be road-ready to conquer Minnesota’s icy highways or winding backroads. But after the journey, it often returns caked in bugs, salt, or mud, begging for a restore.

At Rice Street Car Wash, perched at the vibrant crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, we’ve got you covered for both pre-trip prep and post-trip cleanup. Check these five essential maintenance items before you go, then let our Petit 360 Automatic Car Wash and self-serve bays ($4 for 4 minutes) bring your ride back to a gleaming shine, as radiant as the Mississippi under a Twin Cities sunset.

Top 5 Pre-Trip Maintenance Checks

Before you set out, ensure your car is ready for Minnesota’s unpredictable roads. These maintenance checks, paired with a pre-trip clean, set the stage for a safe and smooth journey.

1. Tires and Pressure: Minnesota’s icy I-94 or gravelly North Shore roads demand reliable tires. Check tread depth (use the penny test—Lincoln’s head should be partly covered) and ensure proper tire pressure for your vehicle’s specs, especially in cold weather when pressure drops.

2. Wiper Blades and Fluid: A clear windshield is critical when snow or rain hits. Inspect wiper blades for cracks and ensure your washer fluid is topped with a winter-ready mix. Clean your windshield with Mothers Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner ($4.00 at our shop) and a microfiber towel for streak-free visibility.

3. Battery Health: Cold snaps drain batteries fast. Check for corrosion on terminals and ensure your battery is charged (most auto shops can test it). A clean car helps you spot issues early—use our Petit 360 to wash away grime around the hood, making maintenance checks easier. The Tire and Engine cleaner is a strong alkaline detergent perfect for lifting and removing that engine grime.

4. Fluid Levels: Verify oil, coolant, and brake fluid levels to keep your engine humming through Minnesota’s chill. After checking, wipe down the engine bay with Meguiar’s All Purpose Cleaner ($7.99) and a microfiber towel to keep it pristine, but only if safe for your vehicle.

5. Lights and Signals: Ensure headlights, taillights, and turn signals are working for safe nighttime or foggy drives.

Pro Tip: After maintenance, give your car a pre-trip shine with the Petit 360’s High Pressure Wax Sealant or Mothers Wax Protectant ($8.49) to shield against salt and debris. Buff with the XXXL waffle microfiber towel for a glossy finish that turns heads from Maplewood to Roseville.

Post-Trip Cleanup: Restore the Shine

Your road trip may leave your car battered by bugs from Highway 61, salt from winter roads, or mud from a North Shore trail. Here’s how to clean up at Rice Street Car Wash:

1. Banish Bugs and Sap: Highway bugs and tree sap from a lakeside stop cling like stubborn frost. In the self-serve bay, use Bug Cleaner to dissolve splatter, followed by Foaming Brush Soap and High Pressure Soap to clear residue. For sap, apply Meguiar’s All Purpose Cleaner with a microfiber towel, then rinse.

2. Clear Road Grime and Salt: Winter salt or summer mud cakes wheel wells and undercarriages. The Petit 360’s high-pressure jets and undercarriage spray blast away grime, while the self-serve bay’s Tire and Engine Cleaner targets tough spots.

3. Refresh the Interior: Spilled coffee or trail mix crumbs? Spray Shout Auto Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner ($7.99 in our shop) on seats and scrub with a microfiber towel. Clean WeatherTech mats with our self-serve bay’s mat clamps and Concentrated Low Pressure Soap. For dashboards, use Meguiar’s Ultimate Protectant ($7.99) and the XXXL waffle microfiber towel for a satin glow.

4. Protect for the Next Adventure: Reapply High Pressure Wax Sealant in the self-serve bay or Hot Wax/Ceramic in Petit 360 to shield against future grime, ensuring your car stays radiant for the next Minnesota journey.

Pro Tip: Credit card users, start washing immediately after swiping and hit the flashing green button to stop the charge.

Why Rice Street Car Wash?

At the crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, Rice Street Car Wash is as vital as the Mississippi’s flow or the sturdy oaks of nearby Como Park. Our Petit 360, with water-saving Variable Frequency Drives and eco-friendly soaps, operates even at 15–20 below zero, keeping your car and the environment clean. Our self-serve bays and shop products—Meguiar’s, Mothers, Shout Auto, and microfiber towels—make pre- and post-trip care effortless.

Hit the Road with Confidence

Before your next Minnesota road trip, check your tires, wipers, battery, fluids, and lights, then let Rice Street Car Wash handle the cleanup. For just $4 in the self-serve bays or a quick Petit 360 pass, your ride will dazzle like a Twin Cities sunset. Follow us on social for more car care tips to keep your vehicle road-trip-ready through every Minnesota season.

For a little reading material on your car ride, don't forget to check out our new book series, Washed Clean. Whether you're a mystery buff, a fan of faith-filled stories, or just love a good car wash tale, Washed Clean will leave you refreshed and inspired. Start reading Chapter 1 now, and join the conversation in the comments: What's your favorite Bible verse on redemption? Follow along, and let's get washed clean together!

Drive the shine, conquer the road at Rice Street!

Rice Street Car Wash: Where Your Journey Shines Bright.