http://www.performanceautoblog.com/car-road-trip-readyGet Your Car Road Trip-Ready!Performance Automotive Blog

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As summer creeps closer, the lure of a good old fashioned family road trip grows stronger. Whether you’re headed to see the beach, the mountains, the desert or the world’s largest rubber band ball, failing to have your vehicle properly prepared can bring your trip to an abrupt and unfortunate halt.

In order to truly enjoy family time, tunes and sights, make sure that you take all the necessary precautions before embarking on your adventure. Some car troubles arise out of nowhere, but for the most part, many can be easily prevented. As April is National Car Care month, these vehicle care tips will help to ensure an enjoyable and flawless trip:

Tires

No matter your destination, the tire condition is of the utmost importance. Most trips are longer than 500 miles, and temperatures can get intense, so consider a tire inspection before taking off. Proper air pressure, alignment, sufficient tread and rotation should be checked.

Brakes

Getting your brakes inspected is something that should be monitored annually anyway, but it is especially important before long road trips. Be sure to bring your car to a certified auto technician to make sure your break pads and break fluid are up to par. If you plan on driving through mountainous terrain, breaks should be given extra attention.

Coolant

Constant heat can take its toll on radiators. When you’re stopping in to get your oil changed (which should be done before a road trip as well) have the service technician take a look at your coolant levels while he’s already under the hood. Transmission fluid should be checked, too.

If you are traveling to a particularly hot and dry part of the country, consider having your cooling system flushed and refilled to avoid any possible breakdowns due to overheating.

Just to be safe, make sure you bring along emergency car supplies, including:

Spare Tire
Wheel wrench
Jack
Jumper cables
Flashlight
Wiper fluid
Basic first-aid kit

These items might come in handy if anything unexpected happens! So if you are one of the brave drivers willing to dedicate days to the open road with family or friends, make sure you have all your bases covered!

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