Keep your vehicle in good mechanical condition by asking your mechanic to check the vehicle's fuel and emissions systems, as well as fluid levels, belts, hoses and tires. Resist the urge to overload your vehicle with too much luggage. Doing so increases the weight of the vehicle and causes the engine to work harder at moving it forward. Determine the vehicle's carrying capacity, usually listed in pounds on a label attached to the driver's side door. Try and avoid placing luggage on top of your vehicle in either a luggage carrier or on a luggage rack.
Luggage placed outside the vehicle creates wind resistance, which can result in poor gas mileage.
Because things can go wrong no matter how well you prepare, it is always good to keep an emergency kit in your car that includes jumper cables, basic hand tools, flares or reflective warning triangles, a first aid kit, a flashlight with fresh batteries, and a cellular phone if possible. Tips for safety on the road Keeping your vacation as safe as possible is another important element to summer travel. Because we're on vacation to relax, many of us tend to let our guard down, taking more chances than we would at home. Here are several helpful tips to ensure a happy, safe vacation. Travel with a mobile phone, charger and adapter.