June is National Safety Month, and before you hit the road for your Independence Day road trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is ready. Here are five practical pointers, brought to you by Toyota, that will help ensure your family arrives at your destination:

1.)  Be tire aware. Focus on three main points to make your journey safer- air, wear, and spare.

• Air – A properly inflated tire can help you avoid a flat and helps you get the best fuel economy. Refer to the owner’s manual or a label inside the doorframe for the correct pressure and check tires when they’re cold (haven’t been driven on for three hours) for most accurate reading.
• Wear – This step takes less than a minute. Head out to your driveway and see if tread is worn to 1/16 of an inch. If it is, it’s time to replace. Also check for irregular wear patterns which may indicated you need a rotation, alignment or both.
• Spare – Make sure the back-up has your back and run the spare through the same tests as your other tires.

2.)  Be rubber ready. Even if you don’t know much about what goes on under the hood of your vehicle, it’s easy to inspect belts, hoses and wiper blades for blisters, cracks or cuts. If you see anything that looks worn, have it looked at by a professional before you hit the road.

3.)  Be fluid. Leave plenty of room in your plans for spontaneous adventures and make sure all your vehicle’s fluids are topped off before you hit the road. Pro tip: Schedule your oil change a week before you leave on the trip. They’ll check all your fluids and if you need to schedule recommended maintenance you’ll have the time to complete it before you go.

4.)  Be illuminated. When was the last time you changed your headlamps? Check headlamps, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior and, if necessary, trailer lights to ensure everything is in proper working order before you head off.

5.)  Be cool. Don’t get bogged down in a small town looking to get your air conditioning fixed while you’re on the go. If it’s not getting as cold as it used to, it may be time for a recharge.

Here are a few more tips from Toyota:

For more tips on how to keep your vehicle healthy, check out our Complete Spring Car Care Checklist.

images courtesy of Toyota