Car Ready For Summer Travel?

If you're one of millions of Americans taking to the highways this summer, you need to keep your car trouble-free. Automotive expert Barbara Terry visits The Early Show to offer advice on how to get your vehicle ready for that next driving vacation.

Although you can take your car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough going-over, most people can easily do the job themselves. If you opt to check the vehicle yourself, do it at least a week before the trip, in case something turns up.

Automotive expert Barbara Terry has the following checklist for Summer Car Travel Preparations.

Check Tires:

• Tire Pressure - Use a tire gauge to make sure pressures are set to the manufacturer's recommendations. You can call the tire manufacturer to obtain the correct pressure by giving them the tire size, marked on the sidewall. Also, make sure the car has been sitting idle for at least one to two hours before checking and setting the tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are a hazard and can cut fuel economy, and over-inflated tires can generate more heat, wear out more quickly and can cause a rough ride or blow out. Don't forget to make sure your spare also is properly inflated.
• Tire Tread - Check tires for excessive or uneven wear to prevent a rough, wobbly ride or blow out. If the tread has irregular wear, you may need an alignment or have a suspension problem. An easy test is to insert a penny into the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you need new tires.

Check and Adding Fluids:
Remember to check fluid levels, even if you have your vehicle serviced regularly. This includes engine oil, transmission and radiator fluids, as well as windshield wiper fluids.

• Engine Oil - Make sure your engine oil level is filled to capacity and is clean to avoid damage to your motor. Remove and clean dipstick. Re-insert; then pull out. The engine oil should reach the top line. If not, add 1/2 a quart of oil at a time and recheck. The oil should also have a rich, honey-like consistency with no clumps.
• Transmission Fluid - Check the transmission fluid just as you would the engine oil to prevent blowing your transmission. The transmission fluid should have a deep raspberry color, never feel gritty, and not smell burned.
• Radiator Fluid - Hot weather and long drives combine to put particularly high stress on a car's cooling system. Make sure to fill the radiator and overflow canister with a 50/50 mix of a good quality coolant (antifreeze) and water to prevent overheating while on the road.
• Windshield Washer Fluid - It's paramount that your vision not be obstructed by bugs, dirt and bad weather while driving. You can make a visual check of your vehicle's washer fluid by looking at the see-through container to see if it needs to be topped off.

Emergency Road Kit: Your final check list should include the following necessary items:

• Jumper cables
  
• Fix-a-flat tire repair sealant
  
• Extra fluids (quart of oil, 1 gallon of water and wiper fluid)
  
• Flashlights and flares
  
• First Aid kit and road maps
  
• Jack and tire iron in locations where you can find them.