Summer is almost here! Are you ready for your Family Vacation, with all the screaming and temper tantrums - and the kids too? LOL! At the very least you can do a lot to make sure that your vehicle is ready for the fun.

Most importantly - although it’s tough to choose what is the top priority when it comes to car maintenance - is to assure that all the fluids stay in the places they are supposed to.

Oil, coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid - if any of these leak you can most definitely end up with an unplanned stop on the side of the road. Washer fluid too - it’s important to be able to see out the windshield by removing all the flying things that come at you on the highway.

And of course when you leave the kids at the hotel and want to take a spin around the block alone for some quiet time, make sure that your battery is fully charged, battery terminals are clean, alternator and starter are clicking along as they should.

Take a solid look at your tires. Not just the outside edge you can see when the vehicle sits on the ground but the inside edges and sidewalls need inspection. Often you cannot see a bubble or excessive wear on the inner tread without having your vehicle up off the ground. Most repair shops will inspect your tires at no additional cost during routine maintenance such as an oil change. If they say there is an issue, ask to see it either in person or in a photo.

And make sure to check your spare! If you have a full size spare, take it out and make sure it is holding air. If you have a donut spare, be sure you have AAA or roadside assistance on your insurance. If you have to change a tire yourself, make sure that your jack is adequate - most that come with your vehicle are pretty flimsy. Also, check with your repair shop and ask them to NOT overtighten the lug nuts! It isn’t fun to be on the side of the road losing your mind because the lug nuts are over-torqued or stripped.

AC is tricky. Usually it gives very little warning when it stops working. Most AC systems are built to last at least 60,000 miles. Do NOT “top off” the AC with the cheap cans of freon from the parts store! At best, these are a waste of money. At worst, they can have the wrong pressure and damage the AC system, costing you thousands. Your AC system is enclosed, it should not lose freon. If it is losing freon, you have a leak in a hose or the condenser or evaporator core.

Be sure to avoid traffic stops by the local police by assuring that all your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals work. I am sure you will have enough stops for bathroom and snack breaks so let’s skip this one!

ALWAYS keep an eye on your dash and not just the speedometer. Watch your temperature gauge if your vehicle has one or be sure to pay attention to any warning messages that pop up. I recommend filling with gas around the half way mark. Definitely do not drop lower than a third of a tank when you may be driving in an unknown area or if you might end up stuck in highway traffic due to another driver who did not follow my tips!

Keep the items listed below in your car and have a safe, calm, relaxing vacation! And maybe leave the kids with the grandparents for part of it.

• Jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and batteries
• Basic tool kit
• Phone charger/power bank
• Extra water and snacks
• Emergency roadside kit