The great American road trip is a summer staple. Whether you are driving up to Zion National Park or making the long haul to the California coast, the last thing you want is for your vacation to be derailed by a preventable breakdown. The extreme heat of summer driving puts incredible stress on a vehicle’s cooling system, tires, and battery. Before you load up the trunk and hit the highway, use this pre-trip inspection checklist to ensure your vehicle is ready for the journey. The DIY Checks You Can Do at Home You don’t need to be a master mechanic to check the basic health of your car. Take 15 minutes in your driveway to look over these critical components.

We have all experienced that moment of panic. You are cruising down the I-15, lost in thought or a good podcast, and suddenly you hear a chime. You look down, and the glowing fuel pump icon is staring back at you. You missed the last exit, and the next one isn’t for miles. The immediate question is always: How far can I actually drive on empty before the car dies? The short answer: As a general rule of thumb, most vehicles can safely travel between 30 and 50 miles after the low fuel warning light illuminates. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and pushing your luck can cause expensive damage to your vehicle. How to Calculate Your “Reserve” Range