It's summer – the season for vacations and long road trips. Before you get behind the wheel for long days on the highway, you will want to make sure the vehicle is up to the task. The following are a few car service requirements you don't want to overlook, unless you want to spend your long awaited vacation in a mechanic's waiting room.

#1: Check your maintenance schedule

This handy chart is usually in the back of your owner's manual, but you can usually find a copy online if you have misplaced yours. Hopefully you have kept up with the schedule. Begin by checking your car's mileage and then check that against what maintenance should be done by this point. Any recommended maintenance tasks, such as changing the oil or getting a new cabin air filter installed, that are due or will become due on your trip should be attended to before you go.

#2: Get a tire inspection

Your tires are your shoes on the road, so you want to make sure they are in great condition. You can check them for uneven wear or low tread on your own, but it's a better idea to ask your service technician to perform a full check of all tires, including the spare. Go ahead and have the tires rotated and balanced as well. Also, don't forget to check your jack to make sure it is in working order.

#3: Ask for a fluid top-off

A well-running car uses a variety of different fluids – oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid, just to name a few. Make sure you have all of these checked and topped off or changed as needed. The last thing you want to do is turn on the wipers after dealing with a swarm of pests only to find that there is no windshield washer fluid to clean the glass.

#4: Request a belt and hose inspection

Your car service technician should also inspect all your belts and hoses, even if they aren't due for an inspection. This way you will avoid a broken serpentine belt or a busted radiator hose in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, belts and hoses typically become worn or ragged long before they give out, so your technician can usually catch and repair them before you ever embark on your trip.

For more help in preparing your vehicle for vacation, contact a car servicing shop in your area to schedule an appointment.

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