Bethesda, MD – November 23, 2009 – With 38.4 million Americans expected to travel over Thanksgiving weekend, those who take 10 minutes to make sure their car is ready for long-distance travel will be truly thankful for stress-free weekend driving, according to the Car Care Council.

“One way to ensure you will have a hassle-free holiday weekend trip is by making sure that the vehicle you will be driving is running well. In a very short amount of time, you can identify how road-ready your vehicle is and then take steps to have the problems fixed before heading out of town,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A 10-minute pre-trip check is a small sacrifice compared to the inconvenience of breaking down many miles away from home.”

The 10-minute pre-trip checkup recommended by the council includes the following:

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

The council also recommends that wipers and interior and exterior lighting on the vehicle be checked prior to a road trip, and that motorists restock their emergency kit. As a rule of thumb, wipers should be replaced every six months and lighting should be checked monthly.

To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.