The sun is back, which means it's time for your summer vehicle prep. There are a number of things that you can do to make sure your car is in good shape. We will provide you with a handy checklist.

Some folks know how to prepare your car for a road trip, but there are details that are easy to forget. Many of you probably have a few things in mind, but we think that you'll find that the list we have below will fill in some gaps.

Your Car Checklist Before Road Trip

Important Mechanical Maintenance

There are three key mechanical aspects of your vehicle to inspect prior to your summer road trip. We know, the forests and mountains of this great nation are calling. If you break down on the way, though, you won't get to see them.

You'll want to examine your shocks and struts to ensure that they weren’t damaged over the winter. Even if you are not a mechanic, there's a way to test your suspension system. Go out for a drive and make some wide turns when it's safe to do so. If the vehicle sways more than it used to, it's time to get your suspension system serviced.

Another mechanical element of your summer vehicle prep is the brakes. Getting your brakes changed when you're on a family getaway is a pain — take care of it ahead of time.

You'll want to make sure that all of the connecting cables around your battery are clean and tightly fixed in place. You can also have an expert test your battery. One place to get expert help is at a Dodge dealer in Alabama.

Routine Maintenance To Handle Ahead of the Trip

First off, you're going to want to check your oil, coolant fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid before your trip.

It's also best practice to have fresh window wipers installed. Nothing will make a long trip on the highway seem endless like the sound of worn-out wipers squeaking like nails on a chalkboard.

It's good to check out your tire tread and air levels. You can test the former by inserting a quarter into the tread. If you can see George's forehead, it's time for new ones.

Car Checklist Before Road Trip

Here is your summer vehicle prep checklist:

• Test your suspension system
• Test your brakes
• Check on your battery
• Top off the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid
• Get fresh window wipers
• Kick the tires (in the literal sense)

Take Care of Your Summer Vehicle Prep

If you follow the above checklist that details what to check on a car before a road trip, then you'll be all set for your summer getaway. If, however, you need a new car for the trip, we do have new cars for sale near Auburn. We hope you enjoy the sunny beaches, picturesque forests, mountain tops, or stunning desert that you and your loved ones will visit during the sunny summer months.