Kick the tires 

to make a quick, superficial inspection of something

Just before I stated to kick the tires a loud scream was uttered by someone in the building.

Kick the tires by The Return of Light Joker April 19, 2009

Kick the tires and light the fires 

1. All the necessary steps before starting the MAIN step have been completed so it is ready to be executed. It is used if the audience knows what's the main step.

2. To set forth.

Coming from jargon of figter pilots, who use it when they are ready to take-off with afterburners ignition (lighting the fires) after checking the gear as part of preflight check (kicking the tires).

A: Boss, we verified the procedure and everything works flawlessly.
B: Great, let's kick the tires and light the fires.

A: Man, we've waited so long already.
B: You're right, it's time to KTLF.

Kick the tires and light the fires by bocin January 19, 2013

Kick the tires and light the fires 

To go on a much anticipated bike ride with your buddies.

Touring part of the USA on cruizers or riding the technical single tracks near Stanley, Idaho every year for the past eleven years.

We are going to kick the tires and light the fires to Sturgis and back.

or

We are going to kick the tires and light the fires is Stanley, Idaho.

Kick the tires and light the fires by rrinskeep March 21, 2011