AAA offers tips to keep you driving smoothly during summer vacation

Helena, MT- 5/21/08-The summer vacation season kicks off this month with the Memorial Day weekend, and millions of Americans will hit the road in the coming months en route to their summer getaways. AAA notes that ensuring your summer road trip goes smoothly starts well before you take to the highway.

No one wants to spend their vacation stranded on the roadside, but last summer AAA responded to more than seven million calls for roadside assistance from June to August.

“The secret to a successful and fun-filled summer road trip is advance planning of your journey and preparation of your vehicle,” said Denice Harris, AAA Spokeswoman. “AAA encourages travelers to take time prior to their road trip to inspect their vehicle, map out and plan their trip and make sure they have the right supplies for their journey.”

AAA recommends these tips when preparing for a summer road trip:

During hot summer driving, fluids are key

• Check the engine oil level. If it is low, top it off with the type of oil specified in your owner's manual. If the mileage for a manufacturer-recommended service interval will be reached while on your trip, have the necessary work done before you leave rather than waiting until afterwards.

• With the engine warm and running, check the automatic transmission fluid level. If the level is low, top it off with the fluid type recommended in your owner’s manual. Be careful not to overfill the transmission.

• Check the coolant level in the overflow tank and top off as needed with a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water. If the engine is cool, check the coolant level in the radiator as well. If the radiator is not completely full, have the cooling system checked by a professional. CAUTION! Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

• Brake fluid does not require topping off provided the level is between the full and low marks on the reservoir. A fluid level near or below the low marking could signal worn brakes or a leak in the system. Have the system inspected by a professional.

Make sure you can see, and be seen

• Replace windshield wipers that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass with a single swipe.

• Make sure all vehicle lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are all functioning properly.

• Top off the windshield washer fluid reservoir with an appropriate cleaning solvent.

Check for wear and tear before hitting the road

• Ensure the battery cables are securely attached and the terminals are free of corrosion.

• With the engine off and cool, check the drive belts. Replace any that are cracked, glazed or frayed. Check belts without an automatic tensioner, for proper tension—no more that one-half inch deflection when the belt is pressed midway between two pulleys.

• Check the radiator and heater hoses for visible wear, soft spots or bulges, and look for leaks around clamps and the water pump.

Never forget the importance of your tires

• Check and adjust tire pressures to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings; don’t forget the spare. Inspect the tire sidewalls for bulges, and check the tread for excessive or uneven wear that indicates the need for wheel alignment and/or tire replacement.

• For maximum life, rotate your tires at the mileage intervals specified in your owner’s manual. Note that some vehicles use differently-sized tires front and rear that cannot be rotated.

Know where you are going and how to get there

• Plan ahead by getting up-to-date, accurate maps and routing information in advance.

• For long trips, plan stops along the way to stay alert. Use an online service such as the TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com to help you find restaurants and lodgings along your route. To find the best lodging rates book in advance and take advantage of discounts.  In a recent review of several online travel booking sites, AAA.com offered AAA members the best publicly available rate on partner hotels 69 percent of the time.

• AAA maps and TripTik routings are available at you local AAA office. Alternatively, you can create and print your own routing on the newly enhanced online TripTik Planner on AAA.com. New features include the capability to create custom maps, a new travel guide section, easier navigation and an improved route modification tool. The route modification tool helps you to customize trips to fit specific preferences and now has a new drag-and-drop feature to reroute directions. One click can select a scenic route or a different way home.

• It is advisable that travelers share their itinerary with friends and family for safety.

• During a road trip, it’s a good idea to create a budget to allot for fuel costs. Travelers can calculate their trips expected fuel costs in advance by using AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at FuelCostCalculator.com. Users can also access time-saving construction and historic traffic congestion information on AAA.com with the TripTik Travel Planner, as well as the latest fuel prices at more than 100,000 U.S. gas stations, including E-85 fuel availability.

Running out of gas or getting lost can severely dampen the excitement of a road trip vacation. Plan your route in advance by getting up-to-date, accurate maps and routing information. With the help of an online service such as the TripTik® Travel Planner on AAA.com, you can also find gas stations, lodgings and restaurants along your route.

Motorists can perform many of the vehicle preparation recommendations themselves. However, it is usually a good idea to have a trained technician look over your vehicle before an extended road trip. If you need assistance locating a qualified technician in your area, visit the Automotive section of AAA.com to locate a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility in your area. Approved Auto Repair facilities are certified by AAA to meet and maintain high professional standards.

AAA MountainWest Club is dedicated to providing its over 160,000 members in Alaska, Montana and Wyoming with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.  A fully taxpaying, not for profit corporation, AAA MountainWest, Inc. works for the improvement of motoring and traveling conditions and is a leader for travel, civic and safety issues. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.aaa.com.  To have up-to-date news and safety information from AAA delivered right to your desktop, sign-up for the new RSS Feed at http://mtw.aaashare.com/index.php#rss