With summer officially underway, many families are heading out on vacations, and that means road trips. Whether you’re taking a long-distance road trip or embarking on a simple weekend  getaway, there are several things you can — and should — do to make sure your car is reliable, ready and able to make the trip safely. Following these suggestions could go a long way toward preventing a mid-trip breakdown.

Check out the tips below as you prepare for your summer road trip.

Recharging Air Conditioning 

The hot summer temperatures require adequate air conditioning. Driving with the windows down won’t provide the same cool airflow. If you think your air conditioner is getting weak, it’s best to take the car to a mechanic to have them check it out.

Checking Tire Pressure

Striking the right balance of tire pressure is important when you’re hitting the pavement for a long trip. Generally, the tires should be close to their maximum inflation in summertime (as opposed to winter). However, be careful: if they are inflated too much, it could cause a blowout.

Getting an Alignment

Prevent a shaky or unstable ride by getting your tires properly aligned at your local auto shop. If you’re curious whether you need an alignment, look at the wear on your tire tread — if it looks uneven, or the tread is more worn on the outside, take the car to your mechanic. Or, check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 Changing Fluids

Adequate fluid levels ensure that your car functions at its best when racking up the miles. Check all of the fluid levels in your vehicle, including the engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze coolant, radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. And, of course the most important: start out with a full tank of gas!

Replacing Belts, Hoses or Valves

These connector pieces keep your car running smoothly; have your mechanic check and replace these key components if necessary.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

Several key items everyone should have in their roadside emergency kit include jumper cables, a flashlight, multipurpose tool, tire sealant and duct tape. Also try to keep at least a quart of motor oil, a map/guidebook and a cell phone on-hand.

Plan Your Route

There are two pieces of tech savvy equipment that are great for helping you plan and follow your route. A global positioning system (GPS) uses satellite information to show you exactly where you are and how to get to your destination with easy-to-follow directions. Depending on the specific system you use, your GPS can also direct you to rest stops, gas stations and restaurants along the way, should you need that information.

A traffic alert app is also helpful for your commute; it will show you the fastest route and help you figure out the best time of day to leave on your trek, as well as your prospected arrival time. This may also come in handy when you return from vacation and get back to your regular work commute.

Equip Your Teen with the Right Resources

If your teen is taking an unsupervised road trip without you, make sure he or she has a safe  journey. Certain new vehicles, like the 2014 Ford Escape, come packed with great features for teenage drivers. According to Kelly Blue Book, one of the safest features for young drivers is MyKey, which allows parents to designate a key that will limit top speed, limit audio volume or even disable the audio system altogether if the seatbelts are not buckled.

Your teen may find it annoying, but you can rest assured that he or she gets to their destination and back safely. In addition to the MyKey, the Escape also offers emergency braking assist, tire pressure monitoring and Airbag Deployment Notification.

Regardless of how many miles you plan on putting on your vehicle this summer, make sure you get to your destination safely with these tips.

Posted on 7/16/14

Written by Jennifer Thayer who is an editor at a technology blog called Freshly Techy. She enjoys covering other subjects like entertainment, food and deals. You can follow her on Twitter to see what useful tricks and fun tips she uncovers next.

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