Don’t Let Your Car Ruin Your Summer Road Trip

Summer road trip!

There’s nothing quite like the open road, windows down, music up, and snacks within arm’s reach. But nothing kills that summer road trip vibe faster than your car breaking down… preferably in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal and three cranky passengers demanding answers.

If you’d rather not spend your vacation waiting for a tow truck off some sketchy backroad, a little vehicle prep can go a long way. Think of it like sunscreen for your car — preventive, possibly annoying, but totally worth it to avoid an expensive burn later.

Here’s how to make sure your car is as ready for vacation as you are.

Book a Pre-Trip Checkup — Before You're on the Highway Shoulder

Don’t wait until the night before departure to “just swing by the shop.” Your mechanic is not a magician.

Schedule a pre-road trip inspection with your favorite ASE-certified mechanic or dealership service center at least a week before you hit the road. That gives them time to order parts and fix anything that could ruin your big adventure — like a cracked hose, worn brakes, or a mysterious fluid leak that’s “been fine so far.”

Pro tip: Tell them you’re going on a road trip. They'll check things more thoroughly. (Yes, that includes the stuff under the car you forgot existed.)

Check All the Fluids — Because Cars Are Thirsty, Too

Make sure all your vehicle's fluids are clean, topped off, and doing their jobs:

• Engine oil

• Transmission fluid

• Power steering fluid

• Brake fluid

• Coolant

• Differential oil (yep, your car has one of those too)

Planning a long trip — say, over 2,000 miles? Go ahead and get an oil change now, even if you’re technically not due yet. Better to do it on your terms than frantically Google "oil change near me" in a town that has more cows than mechanics.

Breathe Easy — Replace Your Filters

Your car has two air filters:

1. The engine air filter (so your engine can breathe clean air and make a good spark)

2. The cabin air filter (so your family isn’t breathing in six months’ worth of pollen, dust, and fast food odors)

If either of those are clogged, it’s time to swap them out. Trust me, your lungs—and your horsepower—will thank you.

Belts, Hoses & Leaks — Oh My!

A cracked belt or leaky hose might not seem like a big deal... until your engine starts overheating in 95-degree weather with no A/C. Have your mechanic check that:

• All belts are snug, not fraying, and not on the verge of snapping

• All hoses are solid and leak-free

• Your cooling system is functioning properly (because spontaneous combustion is not a vacation goal)

And while you're at it, make sure your air conditioning is blowing cold. You’ll want that functional when you're crawling through summer traffic with sweaty, grumpy passengers and a bag of slowly melting trail mix.

Brakes — Because Stopping is Kind of Important

Have your shop inspect:

• Brake pads

• Rotors

• Brake fluid

Worn-out brakes are more than just noisy — they’re dangerous. And you don’t want to find that out halfway down a mountain road in Tennessee.

Lights, Wipers, Tires — Don’t Neglect the Basics

Check the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. You need to see, and be seen — especially if you’re driving at night or in bad weather.

Replace windshield wipers if they’re streaky or squeaky, and top off your washer fluid. Bug splatter waits for no one.

Inspect all four tires for tread depth, cracks, bulges, or any other defects that scream, “I’ll blow out on I-40 in the middle of Arkansas!” And make sure your tire pressure is correct, especially if you’re loading up your vehicle with kids, luggage, and that cooler full of questionable gas station snacks.

Proper tire pressure = better fuel economy and fewer blowouts. Win-win.

Pack Like a Pro — And Don’t Forget the Emergency Kit

Once your car gets the green light from your mechanic, you’re almost ready to hit the road.

Before you do:

• Pack a roadside emergency kit (jumper cables, flashlight, basic tools, first aid supplies, etc.)

• Bring plenty of water, snacks, and entertainment to keep the crew from mutiny

• Load up on patience, because there will be traffic, rest stop weirdness, and at least one wrong turn

And maybe don’t forget a trash bag, unless you want your backseat to become a rolling landfill by Day 2.

Final Thoughts: Prep First, Relax Later

With a little planning and a decent mechanic, your road trip doesn’t have to include unexpected pit stops or roadside drama. So get the car checked out, pack wisely, and enjoy the ride. Just remember: the goal is a fun family adventure — not an episode of "Survivor: Rest Area Edition."

Oh, and try not to kill each other before you get there.