RALEIGH, N.C. – There are five things you need to check before taking a road trip this summer.


What You Need To Know


  • 36 percent more people are taking their personal cars on vacation this summer compared to last

  • Check your cooling systems, battery, tires, suspension system, and air filter before hitting the road

  • Have a kit in the car ready in the event of an emergency

A recent study by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) showed that 78 percent of responders will be driving to their summer vacation spot. Of those driving, 68 percent said they would be taking their personal car. That's up 36 percent from last year.

Car experts say it's important to get a few things checked to ensure a smooth ride.

"Cars don't do real well sitting, so now that they're starting to drive them again they may notice some things," said Steve Sargent, owner of Milex Mr. Transmission. "Especially now, we're getting into summertime, and we're going to be starting to take trips."

The five things to check for are :

  1. Cooling systems
  2. Battery
  3. Tires
  4. Suspension system
  5. Air filter

"An air filter, you can eyeball, certainly," Sargent said. "Tires, you can do your penny test. But coolant, you need a tester. Suspension, you need to have a knowledge of the type of suspension your car has and some experience looking at suspensions. So, I would leave that to a professional."

Sargent encourages drivers to have a charged phone, car jack, good spare tire, and a cooler of water with them in case there is a car emergency.