So let a mechanic give your car the once-over a week or two before your trip. In a safety inspection, a mechanic will check everything from fluid levels, belts and hoses to lights and tires and brakes to make sure your car is ready for the road.
Low coolant or antifreeze, a fraying belt or a worn-down hose could lead to big trouble out on the road. A small repair now could spare you a big expensive repair later on.
And there are plenty of things you can do on your own to help get your car ready for a long road trip. Check out these do-it-yourself maintenance tips.
If you're a regular customer, a mechanic may charge you next to nothing for a safety inspection. Other customers can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $90, the cost of a full hour of labor, for a safety inspection.
Whatever the cost of a safety inspection, you should consider it money well spent.
"It's just one of those peace-of-mind things," says David Bennett, manager of automotive programs at AAA. "Have somebody who's qualified take a look at everything."
Prepare for the worst
No matter how much maintenance you and your mechanic do on a car before a trip, there's no guarantee that you won't have auto troubles out on the road.
"Keep in mind nobody has a crystal ball," Bennett says. "It may look good today and tomorrow something may happen."
Having a roadside survival kit at the ready will make an unexpected breakdown a lot less stressful.
What should you pack? A copy of your car's warranty and contact information for your emergency car care service should be at the top of the list.
Whether you have roadside assistance through your car's warranty or insurance or you belong to an auto care club such as AAA, make sure you have the emergency contact number with you at all times.
Not sure what else to bring? Check out this list.
Keep your cool
If you do encounter car troubles while traveling, it's important to stay as calm as possible.
Flick on your hazard lights and slowly head over to the side of the road. Pull your car onto the far right shoulder as far as it will possibly go. Set the emergency brake and place flares or warning triangles behind the vehicle.
Call for emergency road service. You'll need to tell the operator your exact location and give a description of your vehicle including year, make, model, color and license number.
Be sure to ask about towing charges and the location of a nearby, reliable repair shop. If your car is still under a new car warranty, you may want to ask about the nearest dealership.
If you're a member of AAA, ask that the car be taken to the nearest AAA-approved auto repair shop. AAA screens each shop for reliability, honesty, fair pricing and training of mechanics. Certified technicians perform repairs.
AAA members receive guaranteed written estimates, a free, 24-point safety inspection with any paid repair and a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on any repair.
Another strategy is to take your car to a shop belonging to a national repair network such as Napa Auto Care Center, CARQUEST Tech-Net, All Pro, Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper Service Centers.
These repair shops offer nationwide warranties and only certified technicians will work on your car.
Check the credentials
If you're unsure about the quality of a repair shop, check to see if the mechanics are certified by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
ASE-certified mechanics must pass comprehensive exams and must be re-certified every five years. If auto technicians are certified, certificates will be prominently displayed in the repair shop.
If your car conks out in a hotel parking lot, ask the concierge at the hotel about a reliable local shop. You won't be the first traveler whose car has broken down at the hotel.
Once your car is taken to a shop, tell the mechanic everything that happened. Don't leave out any detail, no matter how minor it may seem.
"Be as descriptive as possible," Bennett says. "Don't try to hide anything, thinking it will save you money because everything's connected."
With a lot of pre-trip maintenance and a little luck, you won't have to spend a second of your vacation in a repair shop far from home.
On the road
Following these safe-driving tips will keep your time on the road as stress-free as possible.
Pack light. The last thing you want on your vacation is to have a tire blow out because you've overloaded your car. So go easy on your packing. No matter how much or how little you pack, make sure you have a clear view out of the rear window of your car.
Get an early start. "Leave early," says Lauren J. Fix, a consumer auto expert and spokeswoman for the Car Care Council. "There's less traffic. You avoid rush hour."
Don't speed. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Following the posted speed limits will increase your car's fuel efficiency.
Don't give in to road rage. Stay clear of someone else's bad driving and stay calm.
"Avoid road rage. Be calm and focused on the road," Fix says. "Don't be part of someone else's accident."
Buckle up. Make sure everyone in your car wears a safety belt.
"Wear your seatbelt no matter what," Fix says. "It's not just the law, it's the safest way to drive."
