Whether you’re taking the family to visit a national park, or driving to a nearby spa for a romantic weekend away, it can be a good idea to make sure your car is ready for the road.

There are a number of things you should check before going on a summer road trip. We’ll discuss each of these in more depth below:

1. Check for recalls

Recalls can become a major problem if not dealt with, especially on a road trip. You can check to see if there has been a recall on your car by using this VIN lookup tool from the National Highway Transportation Safety (NHTSA).

2. Get your car serviced

Getting your car serviced is one of the best ways to keep your car to be in the best condition possible for a road trip,

3. Check your air conditioning

Having your air conditioning working properly can be vital if you are traveling with young kids or older people that are more sensitive to heat.

4. Check the cooling system

Keeping your coolant levels high prevents the engine from overheating during your trip.

5. Check your fluid levels

Check your oil levels, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and washer fluid before hitting the road.

6. Check your lights

Make sure your turn signals, brake lights and headlights are in working order. Driving without working lights is not only dangerous, but it can also get you an expensive ticket that can ruin your day.

7. Check your tires

Make sure your tires have enough tread, are filled up to the right amount, and are aligned properly before traveling long distances or at high speeds.

If your current car isn’t up to the trip, Cartelligent can help you get a great deal on exactly what you want. Call our team of car-buying experts at 888-427-4270 or get started today.