Prepare your vehicle in advance for the environment and driving conditions you will encounter. Most manufacturers define "severe" driving conditions as one or more of the following:

• Driving at prolonged higher engine speeds
• Driving in extremely hot or below-freezing temperatures
• Driving in dusty or muddy conditions
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic
• Taking multiple trips averaging 5 to 10 miles in length

Follow the service intervals recommended for "severe" drivers in your vehicle's owner's manual if you often drive in these types of conditions.

Check the levels of all the car's vital fluids — including motor oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid — and top-off or change them as needed. Motor oil, in particular, since it keeps the moving parts in your engine from grinding against each other and should be changed regularly. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the appropriate interval for your vehicle.

Keep a gallon of distilled water in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle starts to overheat, you can pour the water into the radiator to temporarily cool it down until you can get to a service station. But don't open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. Hot fluid could spill out and cause serious burns.

Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk. The kit should include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, a flashlight, fresh batteries, flares, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, flares, and a mobile phone.

Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves, etc. can collect in front of your vehicle's radiator and interfere with the cooling system. Spray the radiator grill with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and allow air to flow freely through to your air conditioner.

Check the pressure and wear on your tires, including the spare. Over- or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. The proper tire pressure is listed on the sidewall of your tire. Also consider rotating and balancing your tires before your trip so they wear evenly. The penny test will show you if it's time for a tire to be replaced. Place a penny in between 2 of the treads - if you can see all of Abe Lincoln's head, the tire should be changed.

Match the load rate of your vehicle (found in the owner's manual or inside the driver's side door) with the estimated weight of your family and the luggage you'll be packing for the trip. Try not to overload the vehicle. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and it consumes more gasoline.

Make sure your headlights, tail lights, turn signals, parking lights, and license plate lights are all working. Replace any that may have burned out. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any sudden summer thunderstorms.

Visually inspect your vehicle's belts, tubes, and hoses. Replace any that are cracked or leaking.

Use Your Senses
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, each year, consumers spend a total of $5 billion on vehicle accidents caused by mechanical failure. Besides the cost, there's another downside to breakdowns - they're dangerous. An engine problem while driving can cause an accident or leave you stuck on the side of a hazardous road.

Your senses can tell you a lot about the condition of your vehicle's engine systems and parts. Following these guidelines may enable you to prevent a dangerous breakdown by catching potential problems early.

Sights
Take a look in, around, and under your vehicle:

• Make sure that brake lights, turn signals, headlights, and rear lights are working properly. Also check the inside dashboard lights, the dome light, and the glove box light.
• Look at the top and side of the battery. If you see a build-up of dirt, clean it with a rag. A dirty battery can drain a few amps of electricity.
• Check belts on the inside for cracks. If cracks are deep, the belt may be in danger of breaking soon and should be replaced.
• Examine the engine for grime. An engine runs hotter if it's dirty.
• Put some paper towels or newspaper pages on the garage floor or driveway underneath the engine for an hour or so to check for possible fluid leaks.

Sounds
Your vehicle may be trying to tell you something and listening to it may be the key to catching a problem before it gets serious. If you hear one of these sounds, your vehicle may need professional attention.

• The transition from gear to gear in the transmission should be nearly silent, without any grinding or rubbing noises. A humming sound from below, possibly a change in pitch when accelerating, could mean the differential or wheel bearings are low on lubricant.
• A growling or groaning sound when turning is a good indication that you're low or out of power steering fluid.
• A high-pitched, rhythmic squeal, either when starting the engine, accelerating, or taking a low-speed turn, probably means you have a loose fan belt. Using a belt lubricant may take care of it or else it should be replaced.

• A "burning rubber" smell may mean you are riding the brakes. This can damage the brakes and brake lining. It can also wear out your tires.
• A "rotten egg" smell often means there is unburned gas in the catalytic converter, which is a part of the emissions control located in the exhaust system. Ignoring this problem could lead to an expensive repair later. A sweet, steamy odor after the vehicle is fully warmed up may indicate a leak in the coolant system. Never touch the radiator while the engine is hot. Let it cool first so you don't risk burning yourself.
• A sweet, steamy odor after the vehicle is fully warmed up may indicate a leak in the coolant system. Never touch the radiator while the engine is hot. Let it cool first so you don't risk burning yourself.