The summer of 2016 is quickly running its course. Children will soon return to school and, before we know it, the leaves will change colors and begin to fall. But, let’s not rush into that; there’s still time to enjoy the summer before it’s gone.

One way you may get the most out of this summer is to take a vacation while you still can. While that may involve air travel, or even a train, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to load up the car and hit the open road. Nothing can short circuit a trip faster, however, than a breakdown on the side of the road.

A flat tire is an inconvenience, assuming you have a spare. And, it would be wise to make sure your tires are properly inflated and that you have a good spare with proper inflation, too. Putting the right air pressure in the tires is also a good way to make sure your car achieves optimal gas mileage, as well. But, there are other factors to consider before you hit the open road:

Are the belts and hoses in good shape?
Most cars have serpentine belts these days. A serpentine belt operates several pullies on the front of the engine. But, if the serpentine belt comes apart, it’s a relatively expensive part. To make matters worse, if you’re out on the road, where will you find someone you can trust to help you put the car back in working order? Will you be able to find the serpentine belt in a parts store nearby?

Are your fluids full and in good condition?
The fluids include the motor oil, the coolant, the brake fluid and even the washer solvent. Ask yourself when the car last had its oil changed. Will your trip take it past the point when its due for its next oil change? If so, you may want to change the oil before you go.

The coolant is essential to making sure your car doesn’t overheat while driving on hot summer roads. Assuming the hoses and belts are good, make sure that the coolant is full and in good shape. Look at the coolant. If it has the consistency of sludge you’ll want to replace it while making sure oil isn’t mixing with it somehow.

You may want a qualified auto repair technician to take a look at your coolant and cooling system. They’ll make sure the coolant has the correct viscosity – that it will hold up under higher temperatures. They can also check to make sure the radiator cap is good and the cooling system is ready to go.

When did you last check your air filters?
In most cases, you should replace the car’s air filter every 12,000 miles. Your trip may take you on some backroads, or even city roads, where the air is full of elements that could harm your engine. Even if this doesn’t lead to a breakdown during your trip, it could shorten the life of your engine.

Do the wipers wipe clearly?
Visibility while driving is essential. That’s all the more the case on unfamiliar roads. Once again, you’ll want to make sure you have a full reservoir of washer solvent. You’ll also want to make sure the wipers provide a clean sweep of the windshield.

Can you count on the battery and charging system?
Imagine you’ve stopped at a restaurant along the way hundreds of miles from home. You turn the key to start the car and nothing happens. This is not good. Have the battery and charging system checked before you head out and it’s highly unlikely you’ll have this problem later.

What about other mechanical factors?
On a long trip, or short, you don’t want your brakes to fail. You don’t want the steering to collapse or the suspension to break. Having a qualified auto repair technician take a look before you go is a great way to ensure you don’t have a breakdown while giving yourself a little peace of mind knowing that your car is up to the task.

The engine is cool – what about you?
These are generally the hottest days of the year. It’s nice to know that your car is up to the job but you don’t want to swelter in the heat even if the car continues to purr down the highway like a well-tuned machine. In other words, make sure the air conditioning is working, and will continue to work, before you leave home.