Ensure a Safe Road Trip for You and Your Family

If rising gas prices haven't canceled your plans, your likely planning a vacation soon for your family. If you plan to drive to your destination, it's important to be aware of what to check on your vehicle. Odds are, you will be driving on unfamiliar roads, but with a little precaution there's no reason it can't be a pleasant and safe trip.

Since seeing where you are going is probably the most crucial necessity of your trip, the first thing you should do is make sure every light is in good working order. Any dead or dull lights should be promptly replaced before getting on the road. In addition to needing lights to see, windshield wipers are also crucial to your ability to see the road when it's raining and should be in good working order.

Everyone knows how important oil changes are to a car. If it's been more than 500 miles since your last one, it's going to be a good idea to at least check the oil level and cleanliness of your car. When in doubt, change it. Bad or low oil in a vehicle can cause a host of damage and probably is not something you want to deal with while on vacation.

Check your tires. Is there plenty of thread? Are they properly inflated? These two simple questions answered may save you from being on the side of a strange road changing a tire.

Your battery should be in good condition. A road trip is not the time to see how much longer that seven year old battery will last. A simple test at an auto parts store such as Advanced Auto will let you know if it's time to replace your battery. Any hesitation in starting the vehicle or when dealing with an old battery, it's probably best to go ahead and change it if you can.

Check all fluids. Brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze or coolant... all of this should be checked. A car with low fluids should never be driven on a long trip. Belts can break, so make sure these are checked as well.

If it's in the budget, a tune up would be a great idea. If not, a once over by a mechanic won't hurt either. Let them know of your plans and ask what things should be looked at. This small investment could save you headaches, time, and money. Nobody wants to spend their vacation with their car in the shop and by getting prepared, you are decreasing your chances of that happening.