Do you live somewhere with great autumn foliage? If so, you’re probably planning a nice road trip, and you probably also want to make sure that you are taking a safe drive. Halloween is just around the corner, as well as Christmas, so a road trip could be in line for family fun of all kinds.

Before you head out onto the road you want to make sure that your vehicle is in top shape. There are a few things that you should do before you hit the road, to make sure that you have the safest trip possible, and to make sure that you don’t end up broke down somewhere.

Check Under The Hood

It can take some work to get your vehicle ready for the road if you haven’t had things checked out in a while. You need to check under the hood to make sure that your vehicle has enough oil, transmission fluid, and even ensure that you have enough wiper fluid.

It isn’t just about under the hood though, you also want to make sure that things are going good under your car. Take your vehicle in and have the pros check your suspension, brakes, and other components to make sure all is well before you end up with a major breakdown on the road.

Check Your Tires

You can get your tires checked in the shop as well, or simply check them yourself. Start by checking the pressure, and putting air in if needed. Then check the tread to make sure you don’t need a new set before you head out.

Make Sure You Have Supplies

While there are many things you’ll want to have in your vehicle in case of emergency, there are some things you want to check out regularly before hitting the road. Things like checking your spare tire for air and tread, making sure your jack is in working condition, and making sure you have jumper cables on hand, are all simple things you can do to make your trip less stressful.

Check Your Insurance

Make sure that your insurance is up-to-date and covers anyone that may be driving on your road trip. Accidents can happen when you are on the road, and even with insurance an accident can be expensive. Accidents can cause a loss in wages, injuries and more.

Don’t risk being broke down on the side of the road without a way to change your own flat or contact help. Make sure you have a cell phone and a charger with you, as well as checking the rest of this stuff before you head out. Your phone may also help you make it to your destination without any detours if you have a smartphone with GPS.

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