How to prep your car for summer vacation

Expert advice on how to keep your road trip trouble free

The key to any enjoyable road trip is to make sure you're not taking car problems with you. Take some time to ensure that your vehicle is as ready as you are to make that long-awaited getaway.

The tips in this report include checks that most people can easily do themselves by referring to the vehicle's owner's manual. If you lack the time or confidence to do these things yourself, have your dealership or repair shop give the car a once-over. If your vehicle is due for regular maintenance in the near future, have that taken care of before you hit the road. However if you decide to prep your vehicle, be sure to do it at least a week or so before the trip, so that if the car needs any servicing, it can be completed before your vacation.

While specific checks mentioned in this report are important, be aware of more general warning signs from your vehicle as well. Odd noises, a sudden shake or shimmy, or anything out of the ordinary can be an early indication of a potential problem that should be looked into before you take to the road.

Remember that even the most conscientious pre-trip prep work can be thwarted by the unexpected. To be prepared, you should always keep at least a basic emergency road kit in your vehicle. (See our report on roadside emergency kits.)