If you’re planning to take a family road trip, you should do everything possible to ensure that your vehicle is in the best shape for the journey. By making a point to have these seven things checked on your car before you go on your road trip, you can make your time on the road safer and more enjoyable for yourself and your family.

1. Brakes

Your brakes should be in excellent condition so that they can bring your vehicle to a stop quickly. Even if you don’t notice any obvious problems with your brakes, you should still have them checked before you leave for your road trip so that any underlying issues with the brake pads, drums, or other brake system parts. This will ensure they can be fixed or replaced if needed.

2. Vehicle Fluids

Certain fluids are needed for your vehicle to run properly and protect certain parts from damage. Your oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid are among the most important vehicle fluids. You should check them to make sure that they are at sufficient levels. You should also review the last time you had your fluids changed to see if the maintenance is due.

3. Tires

Your tires should have enough tread on them to last throughout your road trip. Your tires might also need more air in them. If any tire problems can’t be fixed with simple repair methods, a tire change technician can put on new tires that are dependable and up for the drive.

4. Battery

The battery that powers your vehicle could give out suddenly if you haven’t checked it in a while. It’s important to have the battery checked and tested before heading out on your road trip to see if it still has enough power. Even if your vehicle still seems to run fine, there could be problems with your current battery that can only be remedied with a battery replacement.

5. Wipers

Your windshield wipers may be past their prime and need replacing, and the windshield wiper for your back window may also need to be replaced if you have this wiper. Inadequate windshield wipers won’t be able to clear as much of the rainwater that gets onto your windshield and back window, which can limit your visibility if you drive into a rainstorm during your trip.

6. Lights and Blinkers

The headlights, taillights, and interior lights for your vehicle should all be checked to see if any of the bulbs need replacing. You should also check the blinkers to make sure that they’re still working and visible.

7. AC and Heater

Whether you’re planning a summer road trip or a long winter drive, you may need to use your vehicle’s air conditioner or heater to keep the inside of your vehicle comfortable. You can test your AC and heater yourself by turning them on and leaving them on for a while to make sure that they’re still in working order. You can also take your car to a mechanic’s shop to have the AC and heater checked for any underlying problems.

Car problems could cut your family road trip short. If you want to ensure that your vehicle will be able to meet the demands of driving throughout your road trip, you should have all the important components checked in advance.