It's that time of year where travelers are gearing up to hit the road for their next adventure. Before you leave, make sure your vehicle is road-ready so you can enjoy your trip worry-free.

5 tips for a stress-free road trip

1. Inspect your car battery: Your car battery is the heart of the vehicle. When it dies, you aren't going anywhere. Batteries can fail without warning, so it's important to proactively check its health status.

   Call AAA for a car battery inspection to make sure it's fully charged and ready to roll.

2. Change your oil and check your fluids: If the battery is the lifeforce of your car, then its fluids are the lifeblood! Your car has six essential fluids that keep it running.

   Change the oil and check the fluids for the radiator, brakes, power steering, transmission, and windshield wipers.

3. Check your brakes: The most important safety feature of your car is the brakes. Bad brakes can cause serious accidents.

   Visit a AAA Certified Auto Repair shop to have the brakes inspected by an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician. Find a location near you here.

4. Keep your tires rolling: Don't let your vacation fall flat. Check your tire treads, making sure they are 1/16th of an inch and evenly worn.

   Use a pressure gauge to check the air in each tire. Verify the correct amount for your vehicle: most cars recommend 32 – 35 psi. This information can be found on the sticker inside your driver's door.

5. Download the AAA Mobile app: Download the AAA Mobile app and add 1-800-AAA-HELP to your phone. If something does go wrong while you're on the road, AAA is here to help 24/7. We'll come to you and get you on the go!
    

Extend your car battery life

Preventative maintenance helps ensure you don't find yourself with a car that won't start at the most inconvenient of times, like when you're miles away from home on a road trip. A lead car battery usually lasts for three to six years, depending on various factors.

Extreme heat or cold, harsh wear and tear, short, infrequent drives, and age all affect its lifespan. When your vehicle sits unused for long periods, a few simple steps can help keep your car battery running.

Like the human body, your vehicle needs regular exercise to stay in good working order. Driving your vehicle for at least 30 minutes per week, preferably on the highway without stop-and-go traffic, gives it a good workout.

One of the best ways to extend your car battery's life, especially when it sits unused, is to attach a Battery Tender®. This inexpensive device provides small amounts of electricity to keep the battery charged during long periods of inactivity.
 

The AAA Mobile Battery Service Program

Rest assured, the AAA Mobile Battery Service Program continues to be here for you when you need us. When the time comes to replace your battery, a Battery Service Technician comes to you – on the road, on vacation, at home, almost anywhere – to deliver and replace it onsite. They also safely recycle your old battery.
 

Visit the link below or call 1-800-AAA-HELP for car battery service.

AAA Mobile Battery Service