Travel Tips: Pre-Trip Car Checklist

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Destin, FL -
The best way to ensure you make it to your destination safely and on time is to check a few simple things before you leave...

Check:

Oil
Transmission fluid
Power steering fluid
Brake fluid
Brake pedal
Air cleaner/filter
Tire pressure
Unusual wear on tires
Windshield wipers and wiper fluid
Lights (headlights, high beams, tail lights, emergency hazard lights, backing lights, and turn signals)
Childs' car seat(s)

Don't Forget These:

Car Water - Container full of tap water for the car.

Screw Driver - Both a philips head and a regular screwdriver are recommended.

Spare Tire - Ever forgotten to replace your spare? Ever had a flat in the desert? At high noon? With the kids crying?

Can of Fix-A-Flat - Never change another tire! This stuff is great for fixing slow leaks and small punctures.

Lug Wrench and Jack - These have gotten to be pretty model-specific. Without them, you'll need a tow-truck.

A Hubcap Key - Another model-specific piece of equipment you don't want to have to buy on the road.

Duct Tape - Also known as "hundred-mile-an-hour tape." As in, it'll hold even at one hundred per.

A Bike Pump - You can pump up your tires with this, even if you won't want to. But sometimes, you just have to make do.

Jumper Cables - Are there still people without these essentials?

Extra Fuses - Not so obvious, and you won't have to be stranded by a .35 cent piece of plastic.

Air Pressure Gauge - Of course you can just trust the one on the air hose. 'Course, you could trust the kids to pack the car, too.

Motor Oil - Of course you had the car serviced before you left, but what if the kid at the Fast Lube forget to tighten something?

Pliers and/or an adjustable wrench - Handy in a hundred ways.

Knife - You'll be surprised how often you wish you had one if you don't.